The latest reports of shortages in presidential and parliamentary ballot papers in parts of the Volta Region have sparked widespread public outrage, with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) leading accusations against the Electoral Commission (EC) for what they describe as a calculated attempt to disenfranchise their stronghold in the 2024 general election.
This development has reignited fears over the credibility of the EC, especially as the region has historically been a bastion of support for the NDC.
In a scathing critique, Franklin Cudjoe, Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, did not mince words in his critique of the Commission, describing the incident as a dangerous precedent for Ghana’s democratic integrity.
In a strongly-worded statement, Franklin Cudjoe characterized the EC’s actions over the past six years as part of a deliberate strategy to undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
He noted that while earlier actions by the Commission could have been attributed to incompetence, repeated patterns of disenfranchisement and controversial directives reveal a deeper intent.
“SALL elimination tactics! I have warned you about this bunch at the EC. With all the banality displayed by the current leadership of the Electoral Commission in the last six years, I initially thought they were just hopelessly incompetent.
“No. I have come to the conclusion that they deliberately act clownish to test the response of the public and withdraw from an illogical act when the resentment is loud.”
Franklin Cudjoe, Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education
Franklin Cudjoe accused the EC of employing “brazen ‘mistakes’” such as the current ballot shortages as a “surreptitiously dangerous ploy” to rig the upcoming elections.
He urged the public to remain vigilant and to respond decisively to such tactics, warning that the EC’s actions could destabilize the peace of the country if left unchecked.
Shamima Muslim Joins the Chorus of Criticism
Echoing similar sentiments, Shamima Muslim, a former broadcast journalist and member of the NDC, expressed alarm at what she described as a recurring pattern of errors that disproportionately affect regions aligned with the NDC.
“Isn’t it so curious that these ‘mistakes’ and ‘discoveries’ seem to always include the Volta Region?” she questioned, urging the EC to tread carefully and avoid actions that could undermine public confidence in Ghana’s democratic process.
Shamima Muslim referenced the SALL incident as a cautionary tale and called on the National Peace Council to hold the EC accountable for ensuring free and fair elections.
She also warned against logistical failures that could result in late delivery of election materials in opposition strongholds, emphasizing the need for vigilance.
“EC, SIT UP and don’t JOKE with the peace of this country. We are watching very closely,” she concluded, rallying Ghanaians to turn out in numbers to vote for the NDC’s candidate, John Dramani Mahama.
The EC has faced intense scrutiny in recent years, with allegations of bias and deliberate actions to skew electoral outcomes becoming a recurring theme.
From the contentious limited voter registration exercise to the directive intended to restrict media from collation centres—a move it rescinded following public backlash—the Commission’s actions have fueled widespread scepticism.
These controversial actions and inaction which often affect constituencies with significant NDC support, raise questions about the impartiality of the EC ahead of the December 2024 polls.
The latest controversy underscores the need for the EC to prioritize transparency and fairness in all aspects of its operations.
With few days to the 2024 general election, the commission must address these recurring lapses else the continued mistrust could have dire consequences for Ghana’s democracy.
READ ALSO: Stonebwoy Shares Inspiration Behind ‘Jiggle and Whine’
