The National Democartic Congress (NDC), appears to be on a collision course with the country's electoral body, the Electoral Commission (EC).
The largest opposition party wants the EC to immediately withdraw its "deceptive" communique released at the end of an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting.
A statement signed by the General Secretary of the party, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, said the party has taken a particular notice of a portion of the EC press release which states as follows:- “The Commission will compile a new voters register ahead of the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections“
"We wish to state emphatically and without any fear of contradiction, that no decision was taken on this matter. In fact, the compilation of a new voters register was only mentioned in passing by the EC during discussion on limited registration. There certainly was no “extensive deliberations" on this particular matter," the statement added.
Mr. Asiedu Nketia added that the NDC therefore disassociates itself from the communique and demands it's withdrawal as it is not in consonance with conclusions of the IPAC meeting.
Below Is A Copy Of The Statement
NDC DEMANDS WITHDRAWAL OF DECEPTIVE IPAC COMMUNIQE
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) notes with concern a Communique issued by the Electoral Commission after the IPAC meeting held on Wednesday, 27th March,2019.
At the meeting under reference, the EC presented for discussion its programmed activities for 2019. While the press release issued by EC covers aspects of the ensuing discussions we note that there are portions that do not represent the true reflection of what transpired at the IPAC meeting.
We take particular notice of a portion of the EC press release which states as follows:- “The Commission will compile a new voters register ahead of the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections “.
We wish to state emphatically and without any fear of contradiction, that no decision was taken on this matter. In fact, the compilation of a new voters register was only mentioned in passing by the EC during discussion on limited registration. There certainly was no “extensive deliberations“ on this particular matter.
The absurdity of such a claim, is amply evident from the Commission’s own Statement, which captured the agenda for discussion as follows;
*Preparations for the 2019 District Level Elections
*Inspection of Political Party Offices
*Updates on the compliance of the Political Parties with Audit requirements.
The compilation of a new voters register was not one of the items on the agenda for discussion, thus cannot warrant a basis for any decision by the political parties. A careful analysis of the subsequent points in the statement, specifically, point 1,2,4,5,and 6, shows that all the issues raised were clearly in sync with the items on the agenda.
It is self evident, and judging from the flow of the Press Release and its relationship with the agenda above, that item 3 is totally incongruous to the real issues discussed at the meeting, let alone any purported decision be made on the subject.
The NDC holds the view that, a matter as important as the compilation of a new voters register, has to be discussed in a manner that will ensure that every aspect and the implication of its implementation are thoroughly discussed to the satisfaction of all stake holders and in accordance with due process, time tested rules, procedures and conventions before a decision is made.
A matter as delicate as such has to be discussed thoroughly and all the related consequences, ramifications considered before arriving at a decision.
A decision of this nature has grave bearing on the credibility and integrity of our Elections and therefore has to be tabled properly as part of an IPAC Agenda, discussed exhaustively with all relevant stakeholders, before the EC can communicate such a MAJOR DECISION taken at an IPAC meeting to the general public.
No such matter was tabled as part of the agenda, nor was it discussed, either exhaustively or thoroughly as the EC has sought to portray in their communique
Curiously, the communique was signed by only the Chairperson of the Commission instead of the representatives of the various political parties. Can the EC explain why this is so?
The NDC therefore disassociates itself from the communique and demands it's withdrawal as it is not in consonance with conclusions of the IPAC meeting.
It may interest you to note that, there were decisions taken which did not find space in the communique. One such decisions was for the EC to decentralize the limited registration exercise to the Electoral Area level in accordance with the time tested practice in all limited registration exercises since the beginning of the fourth Republic.
The NDC cautions the EC to be mindful of its core mandate to act as a credible impartial referee in the country's electoral processes and to play by the rule books.
Source: Isaac kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]
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They were informed that because a new register will be done for the 2020 elections, they don't want to spend too much on the limited registration as that register will not be used for 2020 general election.
Please people SHUUUUT UP if you don't know and stop embarrassing yourselves. if we hold a meeting and you send a communique proporting to be decisions that resulted from the meeting, how on earth do you think that I do not have the right to point it out if you communique is misrepresenting the facts. Have any of you even read the terms of reference for the formation of the Ipac. Shuttt uup and stop this partisan ***barred word***.
@Ecomini, I knew there would be at least one 'eideiot' who would not get this and as is usual of the NPP attempt to make a political gain out of it. what kind of brain kraa do you people have?
THE "FAMOUS" OFOSU AMPOFU LEAKED TAPE HAS BEEN SET IN MOTION. THE NDC HAS BEEN EXPOSED BIG TIME!
So the EC can not take a decision to compile a new register? In government you opposed the call for anew register and opposition you are doing same. We need a credible register period.
This man has gradually become nuisance in Ghana. IPAC has no mandate to determine what EC should do. IPAC was formed just to give the political parties first hand information on the activities of the EC, no member of the IPAC can stop the EC to implement its intended policy.IPAC is there to reduce the mistrust of some political party has for the EC.It is not in the constitution for the EC to from such a body.It is done by the free will of the EC.
There they go, the Ofosu Ampofo's scheme on war against the EC is being rolled out. In fact Ghana is in deep ***barred word***. What profit does it bring to mother Ghana when parties that want to rule the nation are bent on using lies and mischief to gain political power. It is really sad and am really sad.
I always say that NDC party is a CURSE on Ghana. UNTIL Ghanaians do away with them and relegate them to the background through the ballot box, we will continue to hear their ***barred word*** NOISES! They are EVIL and anti-development!