KEY POINTS
- The NPP has dismissed the NDC’s calls for an independent forensic audit of the 2024 provisional voters register.
- General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong argued that the Constitutional Instrument C.I. 127 provides clear mechanisms to resolve any discrepancies in the register.
- The NPP accused the NDC of trying to create tension ahead of the 2024 general elections.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has dismissed the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) recent agitations over the 2024 provisional voters register, labeling the complaints as deceptive and unnecessary. The NPP claims that the NDC’s actions are a deliberate attempt to create tension ahead of the upcoming general elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong criticized the NDC’s calls for an independent forensic audit of the provisional voters register.
According to Graphic Online, he argued that the NDC’s claims of discrepancies in the register were part of a broader strategy to stir unrest, knowing that the party is set to lose the 2024 elections.
NPP responds to NDC claims
Frimpong questioned the basis for the NDC’s demands, stating that the Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) on the Registration of Voters, C.I. 91 as amended by C.I. 127, provides clear mechanisms for resolving discrepancies in the provisional register. These include correcting omissions, addressing misspelled names, removing deceased voters, and replacing poor-quality voter ID cards.
He emphasized that such discrepancies are anticipated in the electoral process, and there are already established legal frameworks to resolve these issues without the need for an independent forensic audit.
The NPP maintained that the existing electoral laws, under C.I. 127, offer a clear pathway to address any concerns raised by the NDC.
Stakeholder meeting with the EC
Frimpong also highlighted that the NDC had met with the Electoral Commission (EC) on September 6, 2024, before their demonstration on September 17. During that meeting, the NDC presented their concerns about the provisional voters register, including issues such as missing names and photos of voters, misplaced transfers, and deleted names.
However, the NPP pointed out that despite these complaints, the NDC has not yet submitted any detailed information regarding the discrepancies to the EC, further questioning the sincerity of their demands for an independent audit.
The NPP expressed disappointment with the NDC’s handling of the situation, accusing the party of hypocrisy. Frimpong noted that while the NDC continues to call for an audit, they have failed to provide the necessary information to substantiate their claims.
They argued that this approach undermines the credibility of the NDC’s demands and that the existing legal mechanisms are sufficient to resolve any genuine issues with the voters register.
However, they urged the public to remain calm and assured that the electoral process will proceed smoothly with the existing legal safeguards in place to address any discrepancies in the provisional voters register.
