As Ghana gears up for the 2024 general elections, tensions between the major political parties have begun to surface. The National Democratic Congress (NDC), through its National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has issued a stern warning to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), emphasizing the critical need for a peaceful and smooth transition of power.
During a press conference on May 9, 2024, Nketia highlighted concerns regarding the role of the Electoral Commission (EC) and its potential influence on the electoral process. He accused the EC of possibly aiding President Akufo-Addo’s reluctance to relinquish power to NDC’s candidate, John Dramani Mahama, whom Nketia described as “visionary, experienced, and trustworthy.”
“The NPP must choose a peaceful transfer of power to the NDC in their own interest. The 2024 elections will not be business as usual,” Nketia declared, suggesting that the upcoming elections could mark a significant turning point for the country.
The NDC chairman voiced concerns over alleged opacity in the voter registration process orchestrated by the EC. He claimed that the commission’s actions could undermine the transparency essential for fair elections. To combat this, Nketia announced that NDC registration agents nationwide would oppose any moves by the EC that might diminish transparency, using the party’s sophisticated IT systems to monitor and report irregularities.
“We wish to serve notice that NDC registration agents across the country will resist the EC’s clandestine attempts aimed at diminishing transparency in the voter registration exercise,” Nketia stated, emphasizing the readiness of the NDC to safeguard electoral integrity.
He further explained that NDC agents were instructed to activate the party’s high-tech application systems to transmit all serial numbers of Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits in their districts to the National Elections and IT Directorate of the party, with or without the approval of the EC.
This year’s voter registration has not been without controversy, with both the NPP and NDC accusing each other of busing people to other constituencies to register, a practice that could potentially skew electoral outcomes. Additionally, there have been concerns about minors being allowed to register, further complicating the integrity of the voter list.
In his concluding remarks, Asiedu Nketia called upon chiefs, opinion leaders, and faith-based organizations to support the NDC’s demand for greater transparency and fairness in the electoral process. “This is a necessary precondition for peaceful elections,” he urged, highlighting the broader societal role in ensuring electoral integrity.
The EC, however, has rejected the NDC’s request for the serial numbers of the BVR kits used in the ongoing Limited Voter Registration, citing procedural and regulatory issues. This denial has only added fuel to the fiery electoral atmosphere, with the NDC expressing its dissatisfaction and readiness to challenge any perceived injustices.
As the election date draws nearer, the stakes are high, and the actions of both the political parties and the Electoral Commission will be under intense scrutiny from both national and international observers. The peaceful transition of power, a cornerstone of democratic stability, hangs in the balance as Ghana navigates this politically charged period.
Source: The Graphic Online
