The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has intensified its voter education campaign ahead of the December 7 general elections, unveiling “Operation Looking for the Umbrella,” aimed at ensuring that voters cast their ballots for John Dramani Mahama and all NDC parliamentary candidates.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Director of IT and Elections for the NDC, in a statement, emphasized that the party is committed to eliminating “skirt and blouse” voting and reducing the number of rejected ballots in the upcoming election.
“We are determined to implement Operation Looking ForThe Umbrella in order to vote for John Dramani Mahama and ALL NDC Parliamentary Candidates”.
Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Director of IT and Elections for NDC
In his message, Dr. Boamah made it clear that the NDC is focused on a united voting pattern that will not only re-elect former President John Dramani Mahama as President but also secure victory for all NDC parliamentary candidates.
He warned against the “skirt and blouse” phenomenon, where voters support a presidential candidate from one party but vote for a parliamentary candidate from another. The NDC, through its educational efforts, seeks to ensure that all votes for the party are uniform and unambiguous.
He emphasized that the party’s stance is a unified push to strengthen its political representation at both the executive and legislative levels.
Reducing Rejected Ballots with Sample Ballots
To combat the issue of rejected ballots, which has been a recurring challenge in past elections, Dr Omane Boamah indicated that the NDC has distributed sample or dummy ballot papers nationwide.
This initiative aims to educate voters on the correct way to cast their votes and avoid making errors that could render their ballot invalid.
The party believes that improving voter education on the voting process will significantly reduce the number of rejected ballots and ensure that each vote counts.
Dr. Boamah outlined the steps voters should take when handling a ballot paper, beginning with inspecting it for any irregularities.
Voters are urged to consider key instructions before voting such as ensuring the ballot paper is free from stains, confirming that the ballot paper has an official validation stamp on the back, and verify that the stamp is that of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana.
In case of any suspicions, voters are advised to approach the Presiding Officer or well-trained NDC polling agents, who will be stationed at polling centres to provide assistance.
Dr Boamah encouraged voters to insist on changing any suspicious ballots and to immediately report any irregularities.
How to Vote for Change: Key Instructions
Dr Boamah provided detailed guidelines for voters to follow to correctly cast their ballots for the National Democratic Congress Presidential Candidate, former President John Dramani Mahama and all its parliamentary candidates.
He urged voters to look for the NDC’s umbrella symbol on the ballot paper, thumbprint horizontally in the empty box next to the umbrella symbol, urging voters to clean any ink stains from their thumb and fingers to avoid smudging the ballot.
To complete the voting process, the NDC Director of IT and Elections urged voters to fold the ballot paper along its longest length first, before folding it again to maintain the integrity of their vote. He then called on voters to drop their ballot in the designated ballot box.
These instructions are designed to ensure that votes for the NDC are cast correctly and not disqualified due to common voting errors.
NDC’s Vision for a Prosperous Future
In his message, Dr. Boamah also linked the party’s voter education campaign to its broader vision for the future under former President John Dramani Mahama.
He highlighted the 24-hour economy initiative, which the party promises will create well-paying jobs and enhance the livelihoods of Ghanaians.
According to the NDC, voting for John Dramani Mahama is voting for tangible solutions that will transform the economic landscape.
As election day draws near, the NDC’s “Operation Looking for the Umbrella” campaign stands at the forefront of its efforts to mobilize voters, ensuring that no ballot is wasted and that every vote counts in their favour.
With a focus on educating voters on the electoral process and preventing errors, the NDC is positioning itself for a successful outcome in December.
Dr. Boamah urged all NDC supporters and the general public to adhere strictly to the guidelines provided to avoid issues at the polling stations.
“Vote John Dramani Mahama for well-paying jobs through the 24-hour economy initiative,” he reiterated, underscoring the party’s commitment to change.
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