Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Director of Elections and IT for the opposition NDC, has urged the Electoral Commission to reconsider its earlier decision and allow political party agents to be present at voter transfer centers, citing the need for transparency and accountability in the process.
Dr. Omane Boamah revealed that during yesterday’s IPAC meeting on Monday, June 3rd, the NDC stressed the urgency for the Electoral Commission to prioritize and fast-track a decision on the presence of political party agents at voter transfer centers.
As such, he pointed out that the NDC underscored the need for a prompt and decisive resolution on this vital issue, given its far-reaching implications for the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.
Meanwhile, Dr. Omane Boamah emphasized that the NDC remains resolute in its decision to maintain its party agents at the vote transfer centers, refusing to back down until the EC reverses its decision and ensures the presence of political party representatives at these critical locations.
“The EC’s reason for asking for the withdrawal of agents is that the agents were causing trouble and chaos at the centers. We debunked that assertion and asked the EC to distinguish between causality and causal associations”.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
Furthermore, Dr. Omane Boamah disclosed that the NPP supports the Electoral Commission’s move to exclude party agents from observation duties at voter transfer centers, thereby effectively shielding its own gerrymandering tactics.
According to Dr. Omane Boamah, by preventing agents from witnessing the transfer process, the NPP seeks to exploit this lack of oversight for their political gain, further undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
NPP Targets ‘Unsafe’ Constituencies in Ashanti Region
Furthermore, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah credited the NDC’s Eagle Eyes project with uncovering the clandestine collaboration between the Electoral Commission and the NPP to manipulate electoral margins, exposing their attempts to gerrymander and subvert the democratic process.
Accordingly, Dr. Omane Boamah revealed that the NPP plans to manipulate voter transfers within the Ashanti region, targeting constituencies they deem ‘unsafe’.
As such, he indicated that these constituencies include New Edubiase, Ejura Sekyedumase, Sekyere Afram Plains, Ahafo Ano North, and Ahafo Ano South West, where the NPP aims to artificially inflate its vote share through this dubious tactic.
Moreover, Dr. Omane Boamah noted that the Electoral Commission plans to establish voter transfer centers on university campuses but with a restrictive scope.
According to Omane Boamah, these centers will only facilitate vote transfers to constituencies where the universities are physically located.
“Those who registered in May 2024 are legally not eligible to transfer. But those who registered in 2023 and 2020 can. However, IPAC asked the EC to back its desire to mount transfer centers on university campuses with data. The EC agreed to revert”.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
Echoing the sentiments of the NDC flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, Dr. Omane Boamah confidently declared that despite the apparent collusion between the Electoral Commission and the NPP, the ruling party’s fortunes will not be salvaged on December 7, 2024.
As such, he emphasized that the NDC’s grassroots strength and the Ghanaian people’s desire for change will ultimately prevail over any attempts at manipulation or rigging.
“Mr. Mahama adds [that] we have instructed our party at all levels to continue to be present and observe the transfer process”. – Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
Dr. Omane Boamah reinforced John Mahama’s message, solemnly urging the Electoral Commission leadership to uphold its constitutional mandate and the principles of neutrality and impartiality.
He challenged the EC to shed its perceived bias and stop serving the interests of the ruling party, ensuring a level playing field for all political parties in the upcoming elections.
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