The Minority Leader of Parliament, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has signalled the National Democratic Congress (NDC) readiness to seek a recall of Parliament to compel the Electoral Commission (EC) to audit the voter’s register ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Dr Ato Forson, who is the National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Ajumako Enyan Essiam Constituency remarks came during a nationwide protest organized by the NDC in Accra, expressing deep concerns over what the party alleges are irregularities in the voter’s register.
Addressing the demonstrators, Dr. Forson emphasized that an audit of the voter’s register is a crucial step in ensuring the upcoming elections are conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.
In his speech, Dr. Ato Forson did not rule out further action should the EC fail to address the NDC’s concerns. He hinted at the possibility of recalling Parliament to press for an investigation into the alleged tampering.
“What you are seeing today is just the first step. We will undertake a series of activities, including a possible recall of Parliament to compel the Electoral Commission to do what is required.
“We believe that the voter’s register must be audited. The level of tampering we’ve observed so far makes it impossible to proceed without a proper review. This audit will help us understand the extent of the issue and fix the system”.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, MP Ajumako Enyan Essiam and Minority Leader
Alleged Tampering and Irregularities
Dr. Ato Forson pointed to specific instances of irregularities that the NDC has uncovered, particularly in his constituency.
According to him, there have been significant additions of names to the voter’s register, with nearly 3,000 names inserted into the transfer register and roughly 5,000 names bloating the overall list.
“This raises serious concerns, and we need Parliament to intervene,” he added, describing these issues as unacceptable for an election of such magnitude.
The Minority Leader further underscored that the NDC’s demand for an audit stems from the party’s commitment to ensuring peace and stability during the election process.
He stressed that the EC must act swiftly and transparently to rectify the situation, cautioning that the stakes are high for the nation’s democracy.
Dr Ato Forson also issued a rallying call to Ghanaians, urging them to hold the EC accountable and remain vigilant in safeguarding their voting rights.
“The most important person is the Ghanaian voter. We want to make sure that on election day, everyone can vote and that every vote counts. We are asking Ghanaians to get involved and ensure that the right things are done.”
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, MP Ajumako Enyan Essiam and Minority Leader
Gag Order and NDC’s Continued Pressure
Meanwhile, the NDC Director of IT and Elections, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has accused the EC of imposing a gag order on its regional directors ahead of the “Enough Is Enough” demonstrations.
According to Dr Omane Boamah, a directive intercepted by the party shows that the EC has instructed its regional directors not to engage with the public or respond to any petitions presented during the demonstrations.
In response, Dr. Omane Boamah indicated that the NDC would tailor its regional petitions accordingly, aware that the EC headquarters intends to handle all responses centrally.
This development further intensifies the party’s ongoing battle with the Electoral Commission of Ghana, with the NDC highlighting what it claims is an unwillingness by the Commission to engage on critical issues.
The NDC has vowed to maintain pressure on the EC, with leading leaders of the party including the flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama promising that the party will not relent in its pursuit of electoral integrity.
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