The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised concerns about irregularities and operational lapses in the special voting exercise conducted in the Ashanti Region ahead of the December 7 general elections.
In a statement issued by the Ashanti Regional Secretary, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the party called for urgent action from the Electoral Commission (EC) to address these issues to safeguard the credibility of the upcoming elections.
The special voting exercise, which took place across all 47 constituencies in the region, recorded a turnout of 17,337 voters out of the 20,378 registered, representing an 85% participation rate.
Although the exercise was generally smooth, the turnout fell slightly below the 88.6% recorded in the 2020 special voting.
Key Concerns Raised by the NDC
- Indelible Ink Issues
The NDC reported that the indelible ink used during the voting process could easily be cleaned off, potentially compromising the integrity of the election. The party urged the EC to rectify this issue by providing reliable indelible ink for the December 7 general elections.
- Delays in Offinso North Constituency
Voting in the Offinso North constituency was delayed due to the late arrival of the voters register. The NDC described this as a preventable lapse that caused unnecessary frustration for voters. They called on the EC to ensure timely delivery of election materials in subsequent exercises.
- Mismanagement of Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs) in Kwadaso
The NDC also criticized the Kwadaso EC Director for storing Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs) in her office instead of the district police armory, as directed by the EC headquarters. The party noted that this deviation from protocol undermines the security of election materials. A formal complaint has been lodged with the EC and the Sofoline Police, and the NDC is demanding a thorough investigation into the matter.
Commitment to Electoral Integrity
The NDC reaffirmed its commitment to a free, fair, and transparent electoral process. Dr. Amoakohene emphasized that the party would hold the EC accountable to the highest standards of integrity and urged the commission to address these lapses promptly.
The statement concluded with optimism about the upcoming elections, expressing confidence that Ghanaians would vote for change and elect former President John Dramani Mahama as the next President of Ghana.
The NDC called on all stakeholders to prioritize the credibility of the electoral process to ensure peaceful and credible elections.
Source : www.kumasimail.com
