Dr. Rashid Tanko- Computer, Deputy Director of Elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has refuted claims by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) regarding the number of unresolved polling stations at the Ablekuma North.
Dr. Tanko asserted in an interview with TV3 News Tonight program monitored by Kumasimail, that the number of outstanding polling stations in Ablekuma North stands at 62, not three as previously stated by the opposition NPP.
According to Dr. Tanko, the confusion stems from discrepancies in the documentation of results following violence on election day, which led to the loss of all NDC copies and left the Electoral Commission (EC) without any official records from those stations.
“We, as a party, the NDC, have always maintained that 62 polling stations remain outstanding. During two major meetings with the Electoral Commission, which the NPP fully participated in, it was revealed that out of the 62, the NPP had 25 carbon copies of the results. The EC had none, and the NDC lost all copies due to the violence,” Dr. Tanko explained.
Dr. Tanko detailed the process that led to the current figure of 19 polling stations set for the rerun.
The NDC and NPP, in the interest of resolving the impasse, agreed to accept the 25 carbon copies provided by the NPP as a true reflection of the results for those polling stations, reducing the number in dispute to 37.
However, he indicated that further scrutiny revealed that only 18 of the remaining 37 results could be authenticated by presiding officers, albeit as scanned copies rather than originals. Both parties agreed to accept these as valid, leaving 19 polling stations without any authenticated results these are the stations where the rerun will take place.
“The 18 authenticated results were in favor of both NDC and NPP candidates, and we agreed to accept them for the sake of resolution. The remaining 19, however, could not be authenticated by anyone, necessitating a rerun,” Dr. Tanko stated.
Dr. Tanko criticized the Electoral Commission for what he described as a “tactical mistake” in its communication.
He recounted that after a meeting on June 2, the EC was supposed to deliberate internally and revert to all parties before making any public statements.
However, Dr. Bossman Asare, a Deputy EC Chair, reportedly addressed Parliament before a final decision had been reached, leading to confusion over the EC’s official position.
“We were waiting for the EC’s decision on the 37 polling stations, but before that could happen, Dr. Bossman was in Parliament making statements. That was not the outcome of our meeting,” Dr. Tanko emphasized.
With the NPP announcing its intention to boycott the rerun, labeling it an “illegality,” Dr. Tanko maintained that the NDC is fully prepared to contest the elections on Friday, July 11.
He cited previous instances where parties have boycotted by-elections, noting that the electoral process continued regardless.
He reiterated “We are ready for the election, this is not the first time a political party is boycotting a rerun or by-election.
“If the NPP decides not to participate, that is their cup of tea. We will not abandon the election. We are confident that the people of Ablekuma North will elect their preferred candidate, and we believe Ewurabena Auburn will secure a decisive victory,” Dr. Tanko declared.
Source: www.kumasimail.com /Kwadwo Owusu
