The Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has publicly declared that the party no longer trusts the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana.
His remarks, made during a media interview on Saturday, September 14, come amidst ongoing disputes between the NDC and the EC over the handling of the provisional voters’ register ahead of the 2024 general elections.
“The Electoral Commission has eroded the last atom of trust that we had in them, and we have a plethora of evidence—credibility-wise, reliability-wise, and even self-interestedness,” Dr. Boamah said.
Dr. Boamah assertion points to what he described as a pattern of the EC failing to meet expectations of fairness, particularly in addressing concerns raised by the NDC regarding the electoral register.
The NDC’s concerns revolve largely around the lack of transparency during the electoral process, which Dr. Boamah believes undermines the credibility of the Commission. He noted with disappointment that the EC, which prides itself on transparency, had barred the media from covering key meetings on the provisional voters’ register.
“It is sad that the Electoral Commission that has transparency in their motto prevented the media from covering it,” Dr. Boamah added. This statement reflects a broader grievance within the NDC over how the Commission is perceived to be conducting its affairs behind closed doors, away from public scrutiny.
Dr. Boamah refuted these claims during his interview, insisting that the EC had failed to meet the NDC’s core demands. The party had requested a forensic audit of the provisional voters’ register, a re-exhibition of the register, and up-to-date information from the Commission to ensure transparency.
“… We sent a hard drive, an empty one—even before this meeting, you have been saying you have addressed our issues. If you have, let us have them so that as we keep on scrutinizing the register, we will not be doing double work.”
Dr. Boamah Omane, Director of Elections and IT for the NDC
Dr. Boamah’s primary concerns center on four major areas: the rejection of a forensic audit, the refusal to re-exhibit the voters’ register for public verification, and the EC’s unwillingness to share updates on the resolution of the NDC’s complaints.
According to him, these actions raise doubts about the EC’s commitment to a fair electoral process.
EC’s Response
The Electoral Commission has responded to these accusations through its Deputy Chairperson, Dr. Bossman Asare, who firmly asserted that the NDC’s concerns have been resolved.
“The Electoral Commission has addressed all of the NDC’s concerns. We have developed a register that will stand the test of time for the 2024 elections, and the NDC must bring any outstanding evidence to the table.”
Dr. Bossman Asare, Deputy Chairperson
Dr. Asare assured the public that the Commission is working diligently to ensure a transparent electoral process. He also stated that the EC had nothing to hide and that it was committed to delivering elections that inspire public confidence.
The standoff between the NDC and the Electoral Commission has significant implications for the credibility of the 2024 general elections.
The NDC, as one of Ghana’s major political parties, plays a crucial role in the country’s democratic process. Their disillusionment with the EC raises questions about the integrity of the electoral system and whether all political players can trust the processes leading up to the elections.
For the EC, maintaining public confidence is essential. Dr. Asare’s assurances aim to calm tensions and reinforce the Commission’s commitment to a fair and transparent process. However, with the NDC publicly expressing a lack of trust, there is the potential for further conflict as the election approaches.
The call for a forensic audit of the voters’ register is likely to be a key point of contention moving forward. While the EC may view this as unnecessary, the NDC sees it as a critical step in ensuring that all errors or discrepancies are rectified before the election day.
