The Director of Elections for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Evans Nimako has called for Peace, responsibility, and adherence to electoral processes as Ghana prepares for the December 7, 2024 elections.
Speaking on electoral transparency, accountability, and peaceful coexistence, Nimako emphasized the need for all stakeholders to contribute to credible elections.
Nimako began by reiterating the NPP’s commitment to peaceful elections. He asserted;
“We go by the terms of engagement to ensure that we have peaceful sessions come December 7, 2024. It is important to mention that raising issues [and] allegations without basis should not be the order of the day.”
Mr. Evans Nimako Director of Elections for the New Patriotic Party (NPP)
Responding to claims by some opposition members. He charged;
“I heard my friend [from the opposition] saying that some of the staff of the EC are NPP officials. Yet you don’t have any basis, any evidence to support the issue you are raising.”
Mr. Evans Nimako Director of Elections for the New Patriotic Party (NPP)
He urged the EC to furnish political parties with a comprehensive list of ad hoc staff involved in the election process, stating that transparency would build trust among stakeholders.
Nimako reflected on incidents from the 2020 elections. He emphasized;
“In 2020 elections in two polling stations—one in Bawku central and the other in Awutu Senya East—a staff of the EC tore off Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s [picture on the ballot] who was number one on the ballot, a sitting president. [but the NPP] made a presentation to the EC about that official. The EC only issued statements that, all ballots should have full complement of all candidates.”
Mr. Evans Nimako Director of Elections for the New Patriotic Party (NPP)
Nimako urged political parties to learn from such experiences and channel grievances through appropriate avenues.
On Ballot Printing and Distribution
The NPP Director of Elections also addressed concerns about ballot printing and transportation.
“When this printing exercise began, all parties had agents in all these printing houses. There were times [when] some printing houses had to offload their quantum. For instance, Checkpoint was printing Central Region presidential and parliamentary. It was moved to Buck Press.”
Mr. Evans Nimako Director of Elections for the New Patriotic Party (NPP)
He emphasized that the shortfalls reported during the printing process were manageable and that the EC’s contingency plans ensured adequate ballots for all voters.
Nimako emphasized the importance of all stakeholders adhering to the rules and regulations governing elections, specifically referencing CI 127.
He explained that parties have mechanisms to address issues such as discrepancies in ballot transportation.
“[If] a bag containing ballot papers is being transported, if you follow them and even if seal is broken, you will check that particular bag. But to the extent that you raise issues and it tends out that all those issues you raised have no basis.”
Mr. Evans Nimako Director of Elections for the New Patriotic Party (NPP)
Moreover, he eulogized the NPP presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for his statesmanship and focus on national unity.
“Our presidential candidate has made a good case for himself and for the good people of Ghana to vote for him. We will not do anything to undermine our democracy.”
Mr. Evans Nimako Director of Elections for the New Patriotic Party (NPP)
He urged all political actors to prioritize national interest over partisan considerations.
He recounted how NDC MPs defied police orders to protest at the EC, claiming victory without evidence.
He recalled that in 2020 the leadership of the NDC told their supporters they had won the elections and a certain number of seats in Parliament.
Nimako expressed hope that all political actors would avoid similar incidents in the 2024 elections.
Evans Nimako’s statement underscored the importance of responsibility, transparency, and unity in the electoral process.
His call for restraint and evidence-based discourse highlights the NPP’s commitment to a peaceful and credible election.
As Ghana approaches December 7, 2024, his message is a reminder that all stakeholders have a role to play in safeguarding the nation’s democracy.
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