The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has boycotted the re-collation exercise for the Tema Central Parliamentary seat at the Electoral Commission’s (EC) Ridge Office, alleging procedural unfairness and a blatant disregard for the High Court’s directive. This contentious seat is one of nine constituencies ordered by the court to undergo re-collation due to disputes arising from the initial results declaration. The NDC’s boycott casts a shadow over the electoral process, raising concerns about transparency and adherence to legal pronouncements. The party’s representatives argue that the EC’s approach contravenes the court’s order, thereby jeopardizing the integrity of the re-collation exercise. Their withdrawal highlights the deep mistrust between the NDC and the EC, particularly regarding the perceived impartiality of the Tema Metropolitan Director of the EC.
At the heart of the NDC’s grievance lies the EC’s interpretation of the court’s directive. The NDC maintains that the court explicitly ordered a fresh re-collation, implying a complete restart of the process. However, they accuse the EC of attempting to resume the process from where it had previously left off. This discrepancy in interpretation forms the crux of the dispute, with the NDC arguing that continuing from the previous point could perpetuate the very irregularities that necessitated the court-ordered re-collation in the first place. They contend that such an approach undermines the principle of a fair and transparent electoral process, casting doubt on the credibility of the eventual outcome. The NDC representatives at the re-collation center, including South Dayi MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor and Tema Central parliamentary candidate Ebi Bright, voiced their strong objections to the EC’s procedure, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to the court’s directive.
Further fueling the NDC’s discontent is the alleged involvement of the Tema Metropolitan Director of the EC, Mr. Manasseh Ofosuhene Asante, in overseeing the re-collation process. The NDC insists that the Tema Central Returning Officer, the designated official for the constituency, should be the one presiding over the exercise. They accuse Mr. Ofosuhene Asante of bias towards the New Patriotic Party (NPP), citing purported conversations he held with NPP members as evidence of his partiality. This accusation of bias further erodes the NDC’s trust in the EC’s commitment to neutrality and reinforces their decision to boycott the process. The NDC’s representatives perceive Mr. Ofosuhene Asante’s involvement as an attempt to manipulate the re-collation in favor of the NPP, further compromising the integrity of the electoral process.
The NDC’s accusations of bias and procedural irregularities raise serious questions about the EC’s handling of the re-collation exercise. Their boycott underscores the importance of strict adherence to legal pronouncements and the need for demonstrable impartiality on the part of electoral officials. The perception of bias, whether real or perceived, can undermine public trust in the electoral process and potentially lead to further disputes and legal challenges. The EC’s actions, as perceived by the NDC, risk exacerbating tensions and creating an environment conducive to electoral instability. The NDC’s withdrawal from the process represents a significant escalation of the dispute, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution that addresses their concerns and ensures a credible and transparent re-collation process.
Adding to the complexity of the situation is the NDC’s characterization of Mr. Ofosuhene Asante as “corrupt.” This serious allegation, coupled with their claims of his partisan leanings, further deepens the divide between the NDC and the EC. The use of such strong language indicates the level of distrust and frustration felt by the NDC, and it underscores the potential for the situation to escalate further. The accusations of corruption, while unsubstantiated at this point, necessitate a thorough investigation to ascertain their veracity. Failure to address such serious allegations could further erode public confidence in the integrity of the electoral process.
The NDC’s boycott of the Tema Central re-collation exercise throws a wrench into the electoral process and raises fundamental questions about fairness, transparency, and adherence to legal directives. Their concerns about procedural irregularities and alleged bias must be addressed to ensure a credible outcome. The EC’s actions, as perceived by the NDC, risk undermining public trust in the electoral process and could potentially lead to further disputes and legal challenges. The situation demands a swift and decisive response from the EC to address the NDC’s concerns and restore confidence in the integrity of the re-collation process. Furthermore, the allegations of corruption leveled against Mr. Ofosuhene Asante require a thorough and impartial investigation to determine their validity. The resolution of this dispute is crucial for ensuring a peaceful and credible conclusion to the electoral process in Tema Central.
