In a strongly worded address, Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), expressed serious concerns over the Electoral Commission’s (EC) handling of the voter register and the printing of ballot papers ahead of Ghana’s 2024 general elections.
Hon. Asiedu Nketiah accused the EC of rushing to print ballot papers based on an incomplete and uncertified voters’ register, a move he described as undermining the credibility of the election process.
His statement, made during a press conference, emphasized the need for transparency and adherence to electoral laws.
EC’s Request for Party Agents for Ballot Printing.
Hon. Asiedu Nketiah began by drawing attention to a letter received from the Electoral Commission on October 9, 2024, requesting party agents to oversee the printing of the notice of poll and ballot papers.
He stated that while the NDC had hoped that the EC would finalize and exhibit the voters’ register.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the opportunity that has been given them to correct their mistakes so we move on with our democracy is now being abused“, he stated citing the EC’s letter, which informed the NDC that the printing would commence on October 11, 2024, at various listed printing houses.
The selected party agents were instructed to report to the EC’s office on October 10 for a briefing. According to Asiedu Nketiah, this timeline was unrealistic, given the fact that the voters’ register had not yet been finalized.
Concerns Over Incomplete Voters’ Register
One of the key issues raised by the NDC Chairman was the absence of a finalized voters’ register, which is a critical document for organizing credible elections.
Hon. Asiedu Nketiah pointed out that the EC’s rush to print ballot papers based on an incomplete register.
“You ask yourself, where is their so-called finalized provisional register for correction before certification, before we go into the election? You are commencing printing of ballot paper, you are going to print ballot papers based on a draft register.”
Hon. Johnson siedu Nketiah, National Chairman, NDC
He called into question the credibility of the EC, stating that its actions were not only confusing but also damaging to its reputation.
According to Hon. Asiedu Nketiah, the electoral body’s failure to finalize the register before printing ballot papers raises suspicions of foul play and a deliberate attempt to manipulate the electoral process in favor of the ruling party.
“So where does it put the remaining reputation of the Electoral Commission? I’ve just drawn the attention of all the CSOs, all the labor organizations that showed interest in a clean and credible register.”
Hon. Johnson siedu Nketiah, National Chairman, NDC
Lack of Electoral Code Books and Ballot Statistics
Another critical point Asiedu Nketiah raised was the lack of electoral code books and ballot statistics, both of which are necessary to guide the printing of ballot papers.
“For those who don’t understand this thing, the code books are the books that tell you polling station by polling station the number of voters in each of those polling stations. And that will guide the composition of the ballot statistics.”
Hon. Johnson siedu Nketiah, National Chairman, NDC
Asiedu Nketiah went on to state that without the finalized register and these critical documents, the EC was essentially working in the dark and making decisions based on guesswork.
He criticized the EC’s approach, describing it as reckless and part of a larger, orchestrated plan to rig the elections.
“We don’t have the code books as we stand here to guide us as to the number of voters in each polling station for which we will be printing ballot papers.
“We don’t have the ballot statistics as well, and we are going into printing. So we are back at the guesswork with which the Electoral Commission has been approaching the elections.”
Hon. Johnson siedu Nketiah, National Chairman, NDC
Allegations of Favoritism Toward the Ruling Party
Asiedu Nketiah did not mince words in accusing the EC of working in favor of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“It is a well-orchestrated plan to position the ruling party in a favorable situation, hoping that they can win this election. Let me tell them, no matter what you do, no matter what you say, this election will never be won by NPP and its partners in the Electoral Commission.”
Hon. Johnson siedu Nketiah, National Chairman, NDC
He warned the EC to operate according to its own rules and laws and reminded them that the election process should not be manipulated to favor any political party.
He further called on the EC to halt the printing of ballot papers until the voters’ register and electoral code books were finalized and made available to all stakeholders.
Call for Transparency and Fairness
In his closing remarks, Asiedu Nketiah called for transparency and fairness in the election process.
He reiterated that the NDC would not tolerate any attempts to rig the election. “Let them take it from me that we are in this together, and this is our country. We don’t have any other country.”
“Election should not be a matter of life and death. But for each passing day, the Commission conducts itself as if we all came here to rent a country, and that someday, somehow, we will leave and leave the mess to the landlord to clear.”
Hon. Johnson siedu Nketiah, National Chairman, NDC
Hon. Asiedu Nketiah concluded by stating that the country’s future depended on the integrity of the electoral process, and the EC had a responsibility to uphold that integrity.
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