Fred Tetteh, Deputy Head of Research at the Electoral Commission (EC), has clarified the key reasons ballots are rejected during vote counting, highlighting common voter mistakes that invalidate votes. Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on December 7, Mr. Tetteh outlined five primary criteria for ballot rejection:
1. Thumbprinting Between Two Candidates: Any mark made between demarcation lines that creates ambiguity about the voter’s choice.
2. Voting for More Than One Candidate: Selecting multiple candidates invalidates the ballot.
3. Leaving the Ballot Blank: Ballots with no marks are considered invalid.
4. Writing or Signing on the Ballot: Adding personal details, such as a name or phone number, disqualifies the vote.
5. Missing Validation Stamp: Ballots without the official validation stamp on the back are automatically rejected.
He also mentioned that ballots damaged by voters, such as cutting into candidate photographs, are deemed invalid.
Mr. Tetteh urged voters to handle ballots carefully and follow the provided instructions to ensure their votes count. These guidelines are critical to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
