The Director of Electoral Services at the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, has stated that the commission remains unfazed despite growing skepticism surrounding its processes leading up to the 2024 General Elections.
Amidst concerns raised by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding potential bias favoring the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Quaicoe emphasized the EC’s commitment to impartiality.
The NDC has repeatedly questioned the neutrality of EC officials and voiced apprehensions about potential compromises during the electoral process.
Citing the recent Ejisu by-election as an example, where Kwadaso MP Dr Kingsley Nyarko was captured on video allegedly offering a white envelope to EC officials, which was perceived as a bribe, the NDC underscored their concerns regarding electoral integrity.
Furthermore, Dr. Quaicoe stated unequivocally that the commission is adhering to the law in executing its duties, adding that its actions will stand the test of time. He stated that the NDC’s constant criticism of the is a strategy to keep the EC alert.
“When we were going to Ejisu, there were a lot of conspiracy theories, but when we finished, all the candidates were patting us on the back. We don’t pay much attention to comments like that, because once you know you’re doing what is right, go ahead and do it, you will be vindicated by going by the law.”
Dr. Serebour Quaicoe
Furthermore, he noted that during the tenure of Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, former EC Boss, which spanned between 1992 and 2015, political parties had similar issues with the EC as they do now.
As such, he emphasized that the EC will inevitably face complaints from political parties and other entities, but stressed that the EC will remain focused on doing what is right and upholding its mandate, regardless of criticism. “Posterity will judge all of us. I always say that you should be clear in your conscience,” he added.
Moreover, he expressed confidence that the EC is on the right track, doing what is right, and hopes the NDC will recognize and acknowledge the EC’s efforts to ensure a credible election
EC Justifies Auctioning Of BVDs
Furthermore, Dr Serebour Quaicoe justified the commission’s decision to auction obsolete Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs).
He disclosed that the commission received permission from the Ministry of Finance to auction its obsolete equipment, including the BVDs, adding that they acted within the law.
As such, he detailed that the auction was properly advertised in the Daily Graphic and that the recycling company at Oyarifa, which was one of the six auctioneers, was selected after an interview process.
He further detailed that the Oyarifa recycling company that bought the obsolete BVDs had the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“I want to put on record that the BVDs and BVRs were those which were used before 2020, we acquired new ones. So, once we acquired new ones, these ones were obsolete, we’re not using them. They were still occupying space, so the Commission wrote to the district valuer, STC, they did the evaluation of all the materials, and we have documentation to that effect”.
Dr. Serebour Quaicoe
As such, Dr. Quaicoe reiterated that the State valuer assessed the auctioned items after which the Ministry of Finance approved the auction.
He also noted that all the money generated from the auction was paid into the Consolidated Fund, emphasizing that the commission went through legal means during auctioning process. “We’re not worried because we have not committed any offense. The documents are there,” he added.
Dr. Quaicoe’s comments regarding the auctioned devices came after the IMANI Center for Policy and Education called for an investigation into the auctioning of the BVDs following the discovery of 10 BVDs at a recycling facility in Madina.
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