The Director of Election and IT for the opposition National Democratic Congress Dr. Edward Omane Boamah has expressed strong reservations about the Electoral Commission’s (EC) proposal to hold the presidential and parliamentary elections in November 2024.
The statement comes after an IPAC meeting where there was a consensus among political parties that major electoral reforms should be implemented by 2028 rather than in the upcoming 2024 elections.
Dr. Omane Boamah in a Facebook post on Tuesday, January 30 2024 questioned why the Electoral Commission waited for seven years after the 2016 elections to resurrect the discussion of voting in November.
According to him, with only ten months left until the December 7 elections, the delay of the Electoral Commission in its proposal raises concerns about the feasibility of implementing such significant changes in a short timeframe.
The former Minister of Communications further posited that if the various political parties had accepted the November proposal at the Inter-Party Advisory Board meeting, the country would have had only eight clear months to prepare for the elections, which according to him such a tight schedule could potentially compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
“The overwhelming consensus at the IPAC meeting that the Electoral Commission’s major electoral reforms must be implemented in 2028, not in 2024 is understandable and well thought through. In addition, we’re all ready to discuss voting on worship days for a workable solution to satisfy people of faith now”.
Dr Edward Omane Boamah
Furthermore, Dr. Omane Boamah questioned why the Electoral Commission did not introduce discussions, adjustments, and amendments in the years following the 2016 elections, suggesting that reforms could have been implemented in 2017, 2018, or after the 2020 elections.
According to him, it is very unjustifiable why the Electoral Commission decided to introduce major electoral reforms in an election year when the Commission is already grappling with various issues from previous elections, including the District Level (Assembly) Elections which was characterized by postponements and shortages of ballot papers.
Dr. Omane Boamah highlighted the chaotic Limited Registration of voters in 2023 and the frequent breakdown of the Commission’s equipment and network during the limited registration exercise and called for a thorough investigation and resolution of such issues.
“You don’t wait for an election year to introduce major Electoral Reforms: a year in which the EC has so much to do after an abysmal District Level (Assembly) Elections characterised by postponements after postponements, shortage of ballot papers, some Election officer’s complicity among others. Did you know that another voters registration exercise must take place this year? Yet, because the EC’s calendar of activities is not ready, we are left guessing”.
Dr Edward Omane Boamah
Dr Omane Boamah further pointed out that constitutional amendments are required before the Electoral Commission can go ahead to implement voting for Members of Parliament in November, He noted that an amendment of a non-entrenched clause necessitates the support of two-thirds of Member s of Parliament .
Omane Boamah Raises Concerns Over EC’s Delay In Releasing 2024 Election Calendar
Moreover, Dr Omane Boamah raised concerns about the uncertainty surrounding the electoral calendar for the 2024 general elections and criticized the Electoral Commission for failing to release its calendar of programs and activities for the upcoming elections, leaving political parties in the dark about crucial timelines and deadlines.
The Director of Election and IT of the opposition National Democratic Congress questioned why the Electoral Commission has waited until the end of January and is yet to release the electoral calendar for the 2024 general elections, emphasizing the need for the Commission to provide timely information for all stakeholders ahead of the 2024 polls, particularly political parties.
The opposition National Democratic Congress Director of Election and IT concluded by urging the electoral Commission to immediately release the calendar of activities for 2024 to provide political parties with the necessary information for adequate preparation ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Dr Omane Boamah also advised the Electoral Commission to concentrate on urgent and important activities that would enhance the integrity of the December 07, 2024 elections and stressed the need for the Commission to be proactive in punishing erring EC officers involved in rigging elections to foster transparency and accountability within the electoral process.
The Director of Election and IT emphasized the importance of concluding the electoral reform process by 2027, allowing political actors sufficient time to address core concerns in the election year of 2028.
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