The National Democratic Congress (NDC), the main opposition party in Ghana, has declared its intention to demand a communique signed by all participating parties in the Electoral Commission’s Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meetings going into the 2024 general elections.
This decision aims to rectify any misconceptions propagated in the media by certain elements within the election management body.
Mr Godwin Ako Gunn, the Deputy National Communications Officer of the NDC, conveyed this notice during an appearance on the Citizen’s Show hosted by Nana Ama Agyarko on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, on Accra 100.5 FM.
Mr Gunn addressed the assertions made by Mr Bossman Asare, a Deputy Chair of the Commission, who claimed that 50 percent of political parties at the IPAC meeting, approved the Electoral Commission’s decision to change the voting day from December 7 to November 2024.
Disputing Dr Bossman Asare’s claims, Mr. Gunn emphasized that the NDC did not endorse the alteration of the 2024 general election date and found the timing concerns.
The party intends to compel the Electoral Commission to read the said communique publicly, ensuring that any statements made in the media accurately represent the decisions taken during the IPAC meetings.
Mr Gunn argued that this approach would prevent misunderstandings between the participating parties and Electoral Commission officials.
The NDC believes that a signed communique presented to the media will help clarify any misinterpretations and contribute to a more transparent and accurate representation of the decisions made during IPAC meetings.
The importance of IPAC meetings
IPAC meetings are a platform for dialogue and consultation between the Electoral Commission and the registered political parties in Ghana.
Their purpose is to promote cooperation and consensus-building on electoral matters, while also bolstering the credibility and legitimacy of the electoral process.
The NDC, as the largest opposition party, has a significant stake in the outcome of the IPAC meetings, as they affect the conduct and fairness of the elections.
The party has often accused the Electoral Commission of being biased and unprofessional, especially after the disputed 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections, which the NDC challenged in court.
The NDC has also expressed dissatisfaction with some of the reforms proposed by the Electoral Commission, such as the introduction of electronic transmission of results and the use of biometric verification devices.
The party has called for more consultations and stakeholder engagements on these issues, as well as a review of the electoral laws and regulations.
The 2024 general elections in Ghana are expected to be highly competitive and contentious, as the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition NDC vie for power.
The two parties have dominated the political landscape since the return to multiparty democracy in 1992, and have alternated in government every eight years.
However, the 2020 elections saw a narrow victory for the incumbent President Nana Akufo-Addo, who defeated former President John Mahama by less than one percent of the valid votes cast.
The NDC rejected the results and filed a petition at the Supreme Court, alleging irregularities and malpractices in the electoral process. The court dismissed the petition, affirming the validity of the results declared by the Electoral Commission.
The NDC, however, maintained that the court’s verdict was flawed and did not reflect the will of the people.
he NDC insists on receiving a communique after each IPAC meeting to promote transparent and impartial actions by the Electoral Commission and advocate for electoral system reforms aligned with Ghanaian expectations.
The party hopes that doing so will help to build trust and confidence in the electoral process and prevent any violence or instability that may arise from electoral disputes.
The NDC, in conjunction with other political parties and civil society groups, commits to maintaining Ghana’s peace and stability—a nation widely recognized as a democratic and developmental exemplar in Africa.
The party has expressed its commitment to respect the rule of law and the constitutional order and to participate in the elections peacefully and democratically.
The party has expressed its optimism that the 2024 elections will be a historic opportunity for Ghana to consolidate its democracy and development, and to enhance its reputation as a beacon of hope and progress in Africa and the world.
Source: Modern GhanaÂ
