The Electoral Commission (EC) has parried allegations by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) that is planning to rig the 2020 elections in favour of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to the Commission, it is impossible to conspire with any political party or institution to rig elections because the electoral processes remain transparent at all levels.
It expressed displeasure at what it says are calculated attempts by the NDC to peddle untruths and falsehoods aimed at tarnishing its image and causing disaffection.
In a release responding to the accusations of NDC National Chairman Ofosu Ampofo, the EC noted that as an independent body, it is mandated to conduct free, fair and transparent elections within the confines of the law and will continue to perform its functions as such without fear or favour.
The EC noted that the amendment of CI 91, which is currently in Parliament for applicants to resort to the use of the Ghanaian Passport and the Ghana Card, is imperative in order to aid in the elimination of unqualified names in the register.
“Further, 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 card as a requirement will not lead to suppression of votes.
“Moreover, the new CI, if passed by Parliament, will afford guarantors the opportunity to guarantee for upwards of ten applicants instead of five as stipulated in the current CI,” the release said.
According to the Commission, this makes it possible for applicants without Ghana card and passports to also register.
It stressed that it does not require the services of Commissioners of Oath during the registration of voters as alluded to by the NDC chairman.
“It must be put on record that the Ghana card has been a requirement in the current CI since 2012.
“Additionally, the Birth Certificate has never been used as a requirement since 1995 because it does not contain a photograph for purposes of identification.”
The EC argued that no illegality has been perpetuated for selecting Thales (DIS) as a vendor because the relevant processes were executed in strict adherence to the procurement law and in a transparent manner.
The release assured the Commission will strictly adhere to the safety protocols spelt out by the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health on the registration exercise in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It indicated that the cluster system, which was adopted in 2012 for the voters’ registration exercise did not lead to overcrowding and expressed surprise the NDC is claiming otherwise since the system does not seek to do away with registration at each polling station.
The EC assured all stakeholders of its determination to deliver free, fair and credible presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7 as mandated by law.
