NDC petitions Speaker of Parliament over missing biometric devices at EC

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, to investigate the missing Biometric Verification Devices and components of Biometric Verification Registration Kits at the Electoral Commission (EC).

The General Secretary of the party, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey in a letter dated April 18, 2024, under the heading "Missing Biometric Verification Devices and components of Biometric Verification Registration Kits at the Electoral Commission" addressed to the Speaker said "Following the revelation from Parliament by the Minority Leader, Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson about missing biometric verification devices (BVDs) and Biometric Verification Registration Kits (BVRKs) and the subsequent interest it generated in the public and social media space, the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the party decided to probe the matter a bit deeper in order to unearth the truth about the matter."

He explained that the FEC's involvement in the fray and the subsequent admission by the EC Chairperson at the Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on April 9, 2024, that the biometric equipment were indeed stolen, culminated in a major press conference by the party on April 15, 2024.

He added that at its meeting on the April 16, 2024, FEC again deliberated extensively on the missing equipment, especially on the effect this could have on the December elections.

Mr Kwetey said the party decided to refer the matter to the Speaker's office to further investigate the issue in order to "bring a closure to the matter and to ensure a free, fair and transparent election in December 2024."

He said the party is also ready to provide any assistance to the Speaker's office with regard to the said investigation.