Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has issued a stern warning to the Electoral Commission (EC) regarding ballots destroyed today, 3rd December 2024.
He stated that the NDC will meticulously audit every ballot booklet designated for destruction in the Western and Eastern regions before the planned destruction occurs.
“Considering the volumes involved, the said destruction of ballot papers cannot take place today. The Commission must never forget they lost our trust long ago.
“Thousands of ballot papers may have already been leaked to the NPP to enable them to engage in ballot stuffing… Don’t tell me security features will differ!”
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
The EC earlier announced that it will destroy the recalled ballot papers for the Western and Eastern Regions today, Tuesday, 3rd December 2024, at 4:00 PM.
The destruction, according to the Commission, will take place in Sekondi-Takoradi and Koforidua, respectively.
As such, the Commission requested that all candidates designate two representatives at the regional level to observe and oversee the destruction process, ensuring transparency and accountability.
However, Dr. Omane Boamah emphasized that the NDC’s decision to audit the ballots is essential to ensure transparency and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
He stressed the importance of verifying the destruction process to prevent any irregularities or misuse that could undermine public confidence in the election system.
The NDC, he added, is committed to upholding democratic principles and ensuring that every aspect of the electoral process is conducted with accountability and fairness.
The NDC stalwart further raised concerns about transparency in the electoral process, questioning who is responsible for examining the UV light sensitivity of ballot papers during sorting and counting at polling stations.
Strengthening such measures, he argued, would enhance public confidence in the credibility of election outcomes. “Still, keep EagleEyes on the Electoral Commission and the NPP”.
NDC Raises Concerns Over Special Voting Issues, Urges Action Before Elections
Meanwhile, the NDC raised concerns over several issues that emerged during the recent special voting in Kumasi.
The NDC pointed out that the indelible ink used was ineffective, as it could be easily removed, arguing that this undermines the credibility of the voting process.
The NDC called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to address this issue by ensuring that proper, effective indelible ink is used for the upcoming general elections on December 7, 2024.
“Voting in Offinso North was delayed due to the late arrival of the voters register, causing unnecessary frustration. The EC must ensure timely delivery of all election materials to prevent such disruptions.
“Mismanagement of BVD Machines in Kwadaso; The Kwadaso EC Director kept the Biometric Verification Devices (BVD) in her office, contrary to a directive from the EC headquarters to store them at district police armories”.
NDC
According to the party, this deviation from established procedures undermines critical security protocols, potentially compromising the integrity of the electoral process.
As such, the NDC noted that it has formally lodged complaints with both the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Sofoline Police, urging a thorough investigation into the breach and demanding accountability for those responsible.
The party stressed the urgency of addressing these issues promptly, calling on the Electoral Commission to take swift and decisive action to rectify the situation.
The NDC emphasized the importance of ensuring that such problems are resolved before the general elections on December 7, 2024, to safeguard the credibility of the election process.
Accordingly, the NDC reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to ensuring a free, fair, and transparent electoral process.
The party emphasized that it will closely monitor the actions of the Electoral Commission (EC) and hold it accountable to the highest standards of integrity and transparency.
The NDC stressed the importance of maintaining public trust in the electoral system and vowed to take all necessary steps to ensure that the upcoming elections are conducted with fairness and credibility.
