THE PINK SHEET is a consequential document in Ghana’s electoral process, ensuring transparency and integrity in the counting and tabulation of votes.
It is officially known as the Statement of Poll and Declaration of Results Form, and its nickname “pink sheet” comes from the pink colour of the carbonized form used.
When voting is over on election day, the presiding officer and agents from various political parties count the ballots in full view of the public. The results are then recorded on the pink sheet, which is carbonized to ensure multiple copies are made.
Each copy is distributed to agents of the various political parties, as well as to the electoral commission and other stakeholders.
The pink sheet contains the following information: Total Number of Ballot Papers Received: The total number of ballot papers received at the polling station.
Total Number of Ballot Papers Issued: The total number of ballot papers issued to voters.
Total Number of Ballot Papers Spoilt: The total number of ballot papers that were spoiled or invalid.
Total Number of Valid Votes Cast: The total number of valid votes cast for each candidate.
The use of pink sheets ensures that the electoral process is transparent and that all stakeholders can verify the accuracy of the results. It is an essential tool in maintaining the integrity of Ghana’s elections.
Mathematical model to account for the ballots: Ballot Accounting Equation:
C1 + C2 + C3 + C4 = A1
Where:
C1: Number of ballots issued to voters on the polling station register
C2: Number of ballots issued to voters on the proxy list
C3: Total number of spoilt ballots
C4: Total number of unused ballots
A1: Total number of ballots accounted for.
Additional Variables:
D1: Total number of rejected ballots
C5: Total number of ballots (C1 + C2 + C3 + C4)
C6: Number of persons manually verified.
Verification Step:
Verify that C5 = A1 to ensure ballot accountability.
Relationships:
Total Valid Votes = C1 + C2 – (C3 + C4 + D1)
Total Ballots Issued = C1 + C2
Total Ballots Not Used = C4 + D1.
This model ensures transparency and accuracy in the electoral process by accounting for all ballots, including spoilt and rejected ones.
Mohammed Ahmed Gedel,
Former NDC Technical Advisor on Biometric and NDC Rep@ IPAC & UNDP-Ghana.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
