The Director of Elections and IT Services of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah has criticized the Electoral Commission of Ghana for failing to meet its original target of registering over 1.3 million Ghanaians during its limited voter registration exercise.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, October 11 2023, the former Minister of Communications under the erstwhile John Mahama administration noted that, the failure of the Electoral Commission to meet its original target is mainly as a result of its refusal to decentralize the limited voter registration exercise.
“It is a notorious fact that the EC failed woefully to meet its own originally set target of registering over 1.3million Ghanaians because of the decision to restrict registration to only the District Offices of the EC”.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
More so, according to Dr. Omane Baomah, the number of people who used the guarantor system during the registration exercise were the majority which justified the National Democratic Congress position and that of many well-meaning Ghanaians, including Civil Society Organizations, that the Electoral Commission should continue to use the guarantor system.
He therefore admonished the Electoral Commission to desist from any attempt to outlaw the guarantor system as a requirement for obtaining a voter identification card.
“Again, data from the registration exercise proved that the Guarantor system remains a vital identifier for many a Ghanaian thus cannot be scrapped anytime soon by any new Constitutional Instrument’.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
Omane Boamah Assures EC Of NDC’s Assistance To Improve Its Network System
Moreover, Dr. Omane Boamah indicated that the National Democratic Congress is committed to assist the Electoral Commission to address the constant and frequent breakdown of the Commission’s network system.
He noted that the breakdown of the Electoral Commission’s network system will go a long way to undermine the efficiency of the work of the Electoral Commission if not resolved before the 2024 General Elections.
“We’re pursuing the root cause(s) of the regularly irregular breakdown of the EC’s network system. Because we strongly believe these “network breķdowns” pose a major threat to our democracy if allowed to recur during elections 2024, we shall, with patriotic zeal, assist the EC to troubleshoot the problem(s) for immediate remedy”.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
The Director of Elections and IT Services of the opposition National Democratic further eulogized the leadership and grassroots of the party for their hard work and dedication during the Electoral Commission’s limited voter registration exercise.
“Congratulations and many thanks to President Mahama, all NDC National, Regional, Constituency and Branch Executives, Directorates, MPs, Parliamentary Candidates, and supporters of our great party across the country. You gallantly aided operations in our just ended limited registration, transfer and replacement exercise. Similarly, cheers to our many Registration Agents who stood firm against the intimidation of the ruling NPP government during the period. Your rewards will be both in heaven and on earth. You’ve all been amazingly impressive!”
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
According to him, the leadership and the supporters of the party across the country have demonstrated that the party is capable of winning the 2024 General Election regardless of the machinations of the Electoral Commission.
He therefore, called on the leadership and members of the party to continue to work hard until John Dramani Mahama is declared winner in the 2024 General Elections.
“You have proven that even when the EC refuses to listen to our legitimate concerns and constructive criticisms you’ll rise to the occasion and deliver on your mandate in order to chase the incompetent NPP government to the bush. This shows your belief in President Mahama’s quest to build the Ghana we want together”.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
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