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Rigging Election 2020 for NPP impossible – Sammy Awuku
The New Patriotic Party’s National Organiser, Sammy Awuku, has refuted claims by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the Electoral Commission (EC) and the National Identification Authority (NIA) are scheming to rig the elections in favour of the ruling government.
To him, it will be impossible for such an action to succeed.
“We have never relied on the Electoral Commission since 1992. In today’s Ghana, it will be a miracle and an accident in history for the Chairperson of the EC and her commissioners to rig the elections for a political party; it will be difficult,” he said while contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM in Accra recently.
The NDC, at two press conferences recently, said activities being undertaken by the NIA and the EC ahead of the 2020 polls were all geared towards rigging the elections for the governing party.
The opposition party had earlier posited that the use of the Ghana Card and passport as evidence of identification during registration despite the limited number of Ghanaians who have these requirements, was unfortunate.
National Chairman of the NDC, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo and NDC’s Director of Elections, Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, at two separate media briefings, said the EC Chairperson and Executive Director of NIA intended to rig the elections by denying about 11 million Ghanaians- majority of them are from the stronghold of the NDC– the Ghana Card which would enable them to take part in the EC’s planned compilation of new voters register.
They contend that 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 May 2, 2020,” Samuel Ofosu Ampofo explained.
Mr Awuku, has however, disagreed with the opposition NDC’s assertion.
He pointed out that under no circumstance would the ruling party even consider the idea.
“NDC should not think the EC can rig the election. The NPP rejects the NDC’s accusation that we are in active connivance with the Commission and the NIA,” he said.
Sammy Awuku urged the opposition party to rather focus on how to be vigilant at the polling stations instead of making unfounded allegations.
“The NDC failed to be vigilant in 2016 and that led to their defeat. NDC, I can confidently tell you; they couldn’t collate their results in 2016. They did not even know where they lost and where they won,” Mr Awuku said, adding that, “You can’t blame the EC for your inability to open your eyes”.
citifmonline.com
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Gomoa West: NPP, NDC supporters clash over commissioning of DRIP equipment
Supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Monday morning clashed over the commissioning of machinery for the District Road Infrastructure Project in the Gomoa West District of the Central Region.
According to Citi News sources, the conflict began when NDC supporters questioned the decision to display images of Bismark Basie Nkum, the NPP’s Gomoa West parliamentary candidate on the DRIP machinery.
This disagreement quickly escalated, almost leading to a physical altercation between the two groups.
Baisie Nkum, who doubles as the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Gomoa West, further claimed that the Member of Parliament for the area, Richard Gyan Mensah, brandished a pistol and issued threats against the NPP’s local leadership.
A viral video circulating on social media captured the DCE accusing MP Richard Gyan Mensah of pulling out a gun and threatening NPP supporters during the heated incident.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
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Why should you resist calls for forensic audit? – Alan quizzes EC
Founder of Moment for Change, Alan Kyerematen, has advised the Electoral Commission (EC) to address concerns identified by political parties ahead of the December elections.
According to him, the commission has the mandate to conduct free and fair elections and must ensure that all stakeholders trust the system. If concerns are raised about the process, he said the EC should work to clear any doubts in the minds of the people.
His comments were in response to whether the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) request for a forensic audit of the register.
Mr. Kyerematen stated that the NDC, being a major stakeholder, has pointed out certain discrepancies. Therefore, the EC has the responsibility to prove that it is committed to running a free and fair election.
Speaking on JoyNews’ News Desk on September 16, he said “For the sake of ensuring the integrity of the elections, to respond to the specific cases that have been identified about irregularities in the voters’ register.
“It only goes to enhance the credibility of the commission. Yes. It [ forensic audit] has to be. I am not sure why there should be a resistance to that. Because, yes the Electoral Commission has indicated that they have responded to those comments.
“But we have to put all reasonable doubt. There is a need to have a credible voters register. So if there is an indication that there is still doubt associated with the electoral register, then let us allow an extensive comprehensive audit, which can be done without any difficulty,” he said.
The presidential aspirants said this would help improve perception about the credibility of the EC.
Mr Kyerematen said although the EC has an incredible track record in Africa, there is a need to ensure that their reputation remains intact.
Additionally, he said the election management body has the responsibility to prove that the electoral register is clean and has no basis for complaints.
“It is only through an audit that this could happen.” he said.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
