The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised concerns about the Electoral Commission’s (EC) ability to begin printing the notice of poll and ballot papers today, 11th October 2024.
This skepticism follows the EC’s failure to provide details of the voter register, which political parties require to effectively monitor the printing process.
The EC announced its plans to start printing in a communiqué issued on Wednesday, October 9, but faced strong opposition from several political parties, leading to a meeting on Thursday, October 10.
Following the meeting, Dr. Rashid Tanko Computer, the Deputy Director of IT and Elections for the NDC, remarked that the printing of the notice of poll and ballot papers cannot commence until the EC supplies details on the total number of ballots to be printed.
He also emphasized the need for information on the allocation ratio for each printing house.
“With the buy-in of all the parties at the meeting, I doubt whether the EC can proceed with the printing. Because all the parties agreed that, look, there is a need for us to peruse the notice of poll, and bring it onto the table. You cannot ask our party agents to authenticate that on our behalf. Leadership must do that.
“Don’t say that we are going to give the statistics at the printing house or our agents should go and do the authentication at the printing house”.
Dr. Rashid Tanko Computer
Tanko Computer emphasized the importance of a collaborative decision-making process among all stakeholders involved.
He highlighted that effective leadership will take charge of these matters, ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard and considered.
Accordingly, the NDC stalwart indicated that there was a unified agreement among political parties concerning the issue at the recent meeting.
He confidently stated that there were no disagreements at all, showcasing a collective commitment to achieving a transparent and fair electoral process.
This harmony among the parties, Tanko Computer argued, is essential for building trust and ensuring the integrity of the upcoming elections.
NDC Demands Ballot Printing Statistics from EC
Furthermore, the NDC urged the Electoral Commission to provide detailed statistics on the printing of ballot papers before the process begins, citing concerns regarding previous allegations of additional ballots being printed.
NDC General Secretary Fifi Kwetey emphasized that accurate statistics are essential to ensure that there are neither excess nor insufficient ballot papers on December 7, 2024.
“We demand that the Electoral Commission provide statistics that will inform the printing of Ballot Papers for the various constituencies before printing of ballots commences.”
Fifi Kwetey
The NDC also referred to their prior request for Electoral Code books, submitted on July 22, 2024, underscoring the importance of transparency in the electoral process.
The party believes that access to these documents is vital for all stakeholders to understand the rules governing the elections.
Additionally, the party urged the Electoral Commission to avoid issuing brief notices to political parties concerning critical national issues.
The NDC advocated for more comprehensive communication, emphasizing that thorough updates and discussions are necessary to ensure that all parties are adequately informed and can participate effectively in the electoral process.
This development arises as Ghana prepares for the highly anticipated 2024 presidential elections. In this context, the Electoral Commission has previously faced serious allegations of “overprinting” ballot papers, which it has categorically denied.
These accusations have raised concerns among political parties and citizens alike about the integrity of the electoral process.
As a result, calls for greater transparency and accountability from the Commission have intensified, highlighting the need for trust in the upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission assured that only the specified number of ballot papers has been printed.
This total includes the actual number of voters per constituency, with an additional five percent allocated to accommodate any unforeseen circumstances.
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