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The Electoral Commission has backtracked on its definition of 'over voting'.

Formerly, the Commission saw 'over voting' as ‘the total number of votes cast plus spoilt ballot was more than the total number of registered voters, then there is over voting.’

However, the Commission now says the total number of registered voters would not be part of the equation for calculating over voting.  

This means the commission will no longer use registered voters but verified voters in calculating over voting.

The definition of Over voting was one of the most contentious issues during the Presidential Election Petition.

The petitioners led by running mate of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, insisted that over voting occurred when the total number of ballots in the box was more than the total number of ballots cast on the face of the pink sheets or the total number of ballots issued to voters, the NDC and EC insisted that over voting was only when the total number of ballots in the box exceeded the total number of registered voters at the polling station.

On his part, the then EC Boss Afari Djan, while in the witness box, said “I think I am not too clear in my own mind what the connotation of over-vote is. My Lord I have a problem with any definition which limits over-voting exclusively to what is on the face of the pink sheet. Classical definition of over voting is where ballots cast exceed the number of voters eligible to vote at the polling stations or on the biometric register."

Addressing News Editors in Accra Tuesday on the EC reforms., the Chairperson of the Commission, Charlotte Osei said “the number of persons on the register is no longer tied to the definition of over voting. We have reduced the numbers just to ensure that we have an easier and more efficient electoral process.”

The EC Chair further disclosed that beginning this year, anyone desiring to serve the commission in the capacity of an electoral officer must have a higher educational background.

According to her, such persons would be made to take an oath before a magistrate so that in the event they foul the law, they would be punished.

"...this measure is aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process which has been a subject of debate in the country," she said.

Electoral officers who violate election regulations in the upcoming December polls will face up to two years jail term.