The opposition National Democratic Congress has expressed disappointment over the Electoral Commission’s failure to provide political parties and major stakeholders with the crucial calendar of activities that would guide preparations for the upcoming elections.
In an open letter written by Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, the Director of IT and Election of the National Democratic Congress, and addressed to the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Madam Jean Mensah, the opposition party raised serious concerns over the lack of transparency and information regarding the upcoming December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections.
Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah in his letter expressed disappointment at the absence of the calendar of activities, emphasizing its importance in planning for the electoral process.
“The Electoral Commission has More Work To Do! And special greetings from the NDC Elections and IT Directorate.
“In this open letter, I deploy definite statements and questions to draw the attention of Ghanaians, the Electoral Commission itself, the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), and all stakeholders including development partners to the immutable truth that, the EC is behind schedule regarding preparations towards elections 2024”.
Dr Edward Omane Boamah
The Director of Election and IT for the opposition National Democratic Congress further highlighted several critical issues that remain unaddressed as the 2024 general elections draw closer.
According to Dr Omane Boamah, the various unaddressed issues include major discrepancies in the Voters’ Register, the timeline and methodology for the Limited Voters Registration Exercise, and the projected registrable voter population for 2024.
The former Minister of Communications under the erstwhile Mahama’s administration raised specific concerns over the fear of a repetition of the breakdowns experienced during the 2023 Limited Registration Exercise.
Dr. Omane Bomah in his letter queried the state of the Electoral Commission’s Data Center, Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits, and Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs) as the country gears up for the December 7 polls.
He also questioned whether the Electoral Commission of Ghana plans to procure additional BVR Kits and BVDs to avoid potential disruptions for the 2024 general elections.
Furthermore, Dr Edward Omane Boamah inquired from the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Madam Jean Mensa whether the Commission would enact new laws or embark upon any administrative reforms ahead of the December 7 polls.
Dr. Omane Boamah further questioned the Electoral Commission on how the Commission intends to comply with the ECOWAS Protocol on Good Governance and Democracy, which directs Election Management Bodies (EMBs) of ECOWAS Member States not to introduce major laws or reforms six (6) months before General Elections if it intends to enact new laws or embark upon any administrative reforms ahead of the December 7 polls.
EC Urged Not To Make Ghana Card A Sole Identifier For Voter Registration
Moreover, the National Democratic Congress Director of Election and IT, Dr Omane Boamah cautioned the Electoral Commission against making the Ghana card the sole identifier for voter registration, citing the limited availability of Ghana cards and passports among Ghanaians.
Dr. Omane Baomah strongly asserted that well over 60% of registrants during the last registration exercise of the Commission used the Guarantor System, hence it would be untenable for the Commission to use the Ghana card as the sole identifier for voter registration.
In addition, Dr Omane Bomah demanded urgent questions regarding the creation of additional polling stations for election 2024 and called on the Commission to make known the number of polling stations to be created and the basis for their selection, including operational and demographic considerations.
Dr Edward Omane Boamah concluded his letter by demanding the Electoral Commission’s commitment to ensure that the people of Santrokofi, Akpalu, Likpe, and Lolobi (SALL) participate in the December 07, 2024, elections as a Constituency.
He emphasized the need for the Electoral Commission to do everything possible for the people of Santrokofi, Akpalu, Likpe, and Lolobi (SALL) to vote in the December 7 polls by stating that the National Democratic Congress as a political party shall not compromise on such a demand.
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