The Director of Research and Elections of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Mr. Evans Nimako expressed frustration regarding the re-collation exercise conducted by the Electoral Commission (EC) in the Ablekuma North constituency.
His detailed remarks provide updates into the ongoing process, the challenges faced, and the party’s stance on the matter.
Mr. Nimako began by outlining the progress made in the re-collation process. He stated:
“That was on 4th that [the] EC was directed to conduct the recollection of Ablekuma North, remaining the 62 polling stations. I think we’ve come far.”
Mr. Evans Nimako Director of Research and Elections (NPP)
He acknowledged the challenges but emphasized that significant progress had been made, with the Techiman South being completed of about 147 constituencies. He continued;
“The EC gave a guideline and said that parties must submit to the returning officer their copies of the results, be it from 8A in its form or a certain scanned copy or soft copy, which will be subjected to the EC’s own verification or authentication and it’s been front and back.”
Mr. Evans Nimako Director of Research and Elections (NPP)
This step was crucial to ensure the transparency and integrity of the re-collation process.
He expressed skepticism over the claims, arguing that such inconsistencies should be thoroughly examined to maintain the process’s integrity.
Amidst the challenges, Mr. Nimako called for calm and adherence to the rule of law. He emphasized the importance of allowing the legal process to take its course and highlighted the significance of the re-collation exercise for the constituency. He noted;
“I think we should, as a nation allow the law to operate. We have 276 constituencies, 275 of them have been declared, Pending Ablekuma North. Why are we here today? 7 polling stations out of the 281 are pending.’’
Mr. Evans Nimako Director of Research and Elections (NPP)
His statement underlined the commitment to ensuring that the re-collation is conducted fairly and transparently, without unnecessary interference.
Concerns About Security and Media Reporting
Mr. Nimako expressed concerns about the media’s role in reporting the events accurately. He urged the media to provide the public with factual and comprehensive updates base on the information that one of the Presiding Officer gave.
According to the Presiding Officer, the handwriting on the pink sheet presented was not same the handwriting that had earlier written the figures. However, Nimako remarked; “I expect you, the media, to contact the said presiding officer.’’ He added;
“Is it not ridiculous that your handwriting is in session A and session C, but not in session B? Wouldn’t it be ridiculous?”
Mr. Evans Nimako Director of Research and Elections (NPP)
He also mentioned the role of security personnel during the re-collation process which he believed should be communicated to the public. He reiterated;
“There were police officers responsible for the national election security task force. We are not paying them. We are not asking them to give us their verdict or their version of what they saw. Who destroy electoral materials?”
Mr. Evans Nimako Director of Research and Elections (NPP)
In concluding his remarks, Mr. Nimako expressed optimism for a resolution to the ongoing issues in the Ablekuma North constituency.
“We expect all of us to be law abiding, but it is so unfortunate. We all experience insult, threats, and all that, but everybody has been silent. But we’ll be quiet and be law abiding and see what the EC will do. We hope that today we have conclusion to the issue pending in Ablekuma North.”
Mr. Evans Nimako Director of Research and Elections (NPP)
Mr. Nimako’s statement reflects the NPP’s stance on the re-collation exercise, emphasizing transparency, adherence to the rule of law, and the importance of accurate media reporting in maintaining public trust in the electoral process.
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