KEY POINTS
- NDC threatens to protest over voter register ‘irregularities’ on September 17.
- The party demands an independent audit of the Electoral Commission’s IT systems.
- Concerns over voters being transferred to incorrect locations.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced plans for a nationwide protest on September 17, 2024, if the Electoral Commission (EC) does not resolve what the party calls serious irregularities in the voter register.
The opposition party claims these discrepancies could undermine the integrity of the upcoming December 7 general election, according to Graphic Online
NDC demands action on voter discrepancies
During a press briefing on September 9, NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia expressed frustration over the EC’s failure to address the party’s concerns. Nketia detailed that the party had identified multiple irregularities in the voter register, which they formally reported to the commission.
Despite receiving assurances from the EC, Nketia stated that no tangible steps had been taken to rectify the issues.
“The integrity of the elections is at risk if the EC doesn’t address this problem,” Nketia said. He further raised concerns about voters being transferred to locations they did not choose, calling this a significant threat to the fairness of the electoral process. “If this is possible, then we are not safe,” he warned.
Call for independent audit
The NDC is pushing for a full audit of the EC’s IT systems, believing that such an audit would reveal the root of the irregularities.
According to Nketia, the party has reached out to international development partners who have expressed their willingness to fund the audit.
“We want an independent audit of the system to ensure transparency,” he emphasized. Furthermore, the NDC’s concerns center around the integrity of the electoral process and the importance of restoring voter confidence ahead of the general election.
Submission of presidential nomination forms
Nketia also confirmed that the party had successfully submitted its presidential nomination forms for former President John Dramani Mahama. “We are confident in the eligibility of our candidate and hope the process will proceed smoothly,” he said.
Other candidates, including Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party, independent aspirant Nana Kwame Bediako, and Kofi Akpaloo of the Liberal Party of Ghana, have also submitted their nomination forms, which were received by EC Chairperson Jean Mensah.
As the election date approaches, the NDC’s protest plans reflect growing tension between the opposition party and the Electoral Commission over the handling of the voter register. Also, with the party demanding urgent action, the coming weeks could see heightened political activity and public demonstrations.
