The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey has emphasized the party’s readiness and vigilance to ensure a free and transparent election in the upcoming general election on December 7, 2024. He made this statement during a press conference at the NDC headquarters in Accra on May 16, 2024.
Kwetey highlighted concerns regarding the Electoral Commission of Ghana’s actions during the ongoing Limited Voter Registration exercise. He cautioned that President Akuffo Addo is “treading on treacherous ground, possibly encouraged by assurances that the EC will rig the 2024 general election.” Therefore, the NDC demands decisive accountability from the EC.
He criticized the EC Chairperson, Mrs. Jean Mensa, for announcing on May 6, 2024, that the Commission had recruited Returning Officers, Deputy Returning Officers, and Registration Supervisors for the voter registration exercise. Kwetey argued that this recruitment was unlawful and violated Regulation 8(1) and (2) of CI 91, as amended by CI 126, which states:
“1. The Commission shall make available to the interested persons or parties at the district office the names and pictures of persons it proposes to appoint as registration supervisors, registration officers, registration assistants, and any other officials for the centers, not later than fourteen days before they are appointed.”
“2. A registered political party or an interested person may, in writing, object to any person proposed for appointment as a registration supervisor, a registration officer, a registration assistant, or any other officials within seven days after names of the proposed officers have been made available.”
According to Kwetey, the EC has failed to comply with these mandated requirements for transparent recruitment of these officers.
He also pointed out the EC’s inability to provide accurate figures, referencing the 2020 presidential election results which were “marred by multiple corrections post declaration.” He cited the current voter registration exercise, where the EC published figures for days 1 to 4 on May 11, 2024, only to later issue corrections without changing some day’s figures. The NDC termed this action “transpositional rigging,” warning that it could jeopardize the general election’s integrity.
Additionally, Kwetey addressed concerns about the misuse of Ghana cards by registration officials, mentioning an official named Muhazu Alhassan who used a single Ghana card to register about 20 applicants. He also noted that some security personnel at registration centers were operating without displaying their name tags, effectively anonymizing themselves while on duty. The NDC issued a stern warning to the EC and heads of security agencies that such individuals would be treated as impersonators and potential threats.
These incidents collectively paint a grim picture of the challenges faced during this registration exercise, undermining the democratic process and threatening the safety and rights of participants. The NDC calls for immediate action to restore faith in the system and ensure the security and integrity of the electoral processes.
However, the NDC calls upon civil society, the international community, and other political stakeholders to join them in monitoring the EC’s activities to ensure a free and transparent election.
