NDC bent on tarnishing our image - EC reacts to rigging allegations
The Electoral Commission (EC) has denied claims by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the Commission is plotting to rig the 2020 elections in favour of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In a press statement signed by its acting Director of Public Affiars, Mrs Sylvia Annor on Friday, May 15, 2020, the EC described the allegations as a calculated attempt by the NDC to tarnish the image of the Commission.
“The Electoral Commission is not oblivious of the calculated attempts by the NDC to repeatedly peddle untruths and falsehoods aimed at tarnishing its image and causing disaffection for it."
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"It is impossible for the Commission to conspire with any political party or institution as is being speculated by Mr Ofosu-Ampofo and the NDC since the electoral process remains transparent at all levels,” the EC added.
NDC press conference
At a press conference last Thursday, the National Chairman of the NDC, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, said the EC Chairperson and Chief Executive of the National Identification Authority (NIA) intended to rig the elections by denying about 11 million Ghanaians the Ghana Card which would enable them to take part in the EC’s planned compilation of new voters register.
He said majority of those who would be denied the Ghana Card were in the stronghold of the NDC.
According to him, the decision by the EC to use the Ghana Card and passport as the only required documents to get registered as voters was a calculated plan as part of the rigging process as many people would be disenfranchised.
“As we predicted, the Ghana card registration process by the NIA has been very slow such that till date, the process which commenced with a pilot in late 2017 and was supposed to be completed in one year, has been able to register only 11,062,055 out of about 19 million Ghanaians (15 years and above) who are eligible to be registered.
Even more bizarre is the fact that out of this 11 million Ghanaians who have been registered, only 7,074,048 have been issued with cards (per NIA’s own website https:nia.gov.gh) as at 2nd May, 2020),” he explained.
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EC’s response
In its reaction to the allegations by the NDC, the EC said the intention to use the Ghana Card and passport as the legal documents for the voters’ registration was not borne out of any ulterior motive, but rather to “aid in the elimination of unqualified names in the register.”
“Furthermore, an applicant who does not have the Ghana card or passport may resort to obtaining two guarantors to facilitate their registration and therefore the exclusion of the Voter ID as a requirement will not lead to suppression of votes.
"The Electoral Commission wishes to assure all stakeholders at all levels of its determination to deliver free, fair and credible Presidential and Parliamentary Elections on December 7, 2020 as mandated by law,” the EC added.
“ The Electoral Commission wishes to assure all stakeholders at all levels of its determination to deliver free, fair and credible Presidential and Parliamentary Elections on December 7, 2020 as mandated by law.”
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Attached below is a full copy of the EC's response
Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh