Minority accuses EC of breaching constitution by abandoning indelible ink

The Minority in Parliament has accused the Electoral Commission (EC) of breaching the constitution by eliminating the use of indelible ink in elections.

The EC declared that indelible ink would no longer be required in the district level election and subsequent polls to improve the electoral process and establish a robust identification system.

The indelible ink is a semi-permanent dye traditionally applied to voters’ fingers to signify the exercise of their franchise and prevent instances of double voting.

But the First Deputy Minority Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, and Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, during a debate on the budget estimate for the EC, said the action by the EC contravenes the regulation passed by Parliament.

“The issue of the non-use of the indelible ink breaches the law…Mr Speaker, you cannot come to Parliament with an instrument where protocols have been outlined, and you, as an administrative fiat, decide that you won’t go according to the protocol.”

“The use of indelible ink is part of the regulations that we put in the instrument for the effective performance of the Electoral Commissioner, so you cannot decide that you would not apply it. She must do things that will help her perform effectively.”