The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has questioned the credibility of the Electoral Commission (EC) and remains firm in its decision to protest over discrepancies in the voter register.
This reaction follows an EC press briefing on September 12, where Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Samuel Tetteh, emphasized the Commission’s independence and urged the NDC to collaborate with them through proper channels rather than resorting to public demonstrations.
However, the NDC remains unconvinced. Speaking to UniversNews on September 13, 2024, Justice Yeboah, the deputy Media Relations Officer for the NDC’s National Chairman campaign team, expressed deep skepticism about the EC’s assurances, citing the EC’s previous admission of missing voter management devices.
“What the Electoral Commission is saying, do you believe it? We are saying we don’t believe the Electoral Commission.”
Yeboah further criticized the EC’s response to the recent discovery of illegal vote transfers, noting that action was only taken after the NDC flagged the issue.
Despite the EC’s appeal for negotiation over protest, Yeboah asserted the NDC’s resolve to continue with their demonstration, scheduled for September 17.
“The EC only acted after the NDC detected these illegal transfers. One officer was suspended, but others involved have not been held accountable.”
“We are not here to please the Electoral Commission or to go by their wishes. We have a democratic right to demonstrate, and we will force them to do what the constitution demands.”
The NDC is demanding a forensic audit of the voters register to ensure transparency in the lead-up to the 2024 general elections.
“Those who want transparency, those who are interested in fairness, must also take keen interest in what is happening at the EC. We want the world to know what the Electoral Commission is doing. And when the demonstration is done, let the EC say the auditing is not necessary. We will go to the next step.”
As the protest date approaches, the focus now shifts to the EC’s next move and how it plans to address the NDC’s escalating concerns.
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Story by: Joycelyn Glory | universnews.ug.edu.gh
