The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has voiced serious concerns regarding the Electoral Commission’s (EC) recent decision to begin printing ballot papers for the upcoming 2024 general elections. Led by Jean Mensah, the EC has not yet provided a certified voter register or detailed statistics, alarming the NDC and raising fears about the integrity of the electoral process. In a statement issued on October 10, 2024, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the NDC’s Director of Elections and IT, outlined ten critical points that highlight the potential risks associated with this early printing of ballots. The party warns that without proper checks and balances, the situation may lead to widespread abuses of democracy and manipulation of the electoral process.
Among the primary concerns is the issue of institutional decay within Ghana’s political system. Critics allege that the current administration lacks accountability, which has resulted in a general hesitance among institutions to challenge undemocratic practices. Notably, recent violent clashes during elections, such as the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election and the deaths encountered in the 2020 polls, have left a traumatic mark on Ghana’s democratic journey. Furthermore, the controversial military intervention in Parliament on January 6, 2021, has earned criticism, with skeptics pointing out the lack of repercussions for those involved. These events have fueled fears that the NPP government is reluctant to surrender power, particularly with a potential return of former President John Dramani Mahama, the NDC’s candidate, in the upcoming elections.
Additionally, the NDC has raised suspicions regarding possible collusion between the EC and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to assist in election manipulation. The NDC claims that the EC’s actions under Jean Mensah are being orchestrated to aid the NPP’s interests, although the opposition has vowed to expose these maneuvers and hold the perpetrators accountable after the elections. The resounding lack of a certified voter register further compounds the NDC’s fears, as they argue that printing ballot papers without a clear count of registered voters compromises the credibility of the EC. This step is viewed as creating avenues for electoral malpractice, raising alarms of potential excess ballot papers printed without oversight.
The NDC fears that the printing of excessive ballots, without verifying the number of registered voters, could lead to manipulated results in key constituencies. These concerns extend to the legal challenges following elections, as candidates may find themselves resorting to courts to contest flawed results. However, Mahama has communicated his reluctance to seek legal redress, implying that fortifying the integrity of the electoral process before the elections is of utmost importance. The party asserts that the integrity of the electoral framework must be prioritized in order to have confidence in Ghana’s democracy.
Furthermore, the NDC has accused the NPP of planning to undermine the opposition’s support by allegedly stuffing ballot boxes with pre-marked ballots that could stem from the excess printed ballots. This assertion echoes previous experiences where irregularities—such as the discovery of illegal ballot papers at one of the EC’s printing sites during the 2020 elections—cast doubts on the EC’s integrity. Such past occurrences increase anxiety that similar manipulations could take place in 2024, particularly in a politically charged environment where the focus is on winning over the electorate.
Recognizing the challenges in detecting fraud during the counting process, the NDC expressed concerns about the legal ramifications tied to voting irregularities. Despite the vigilance of party agents, cases of fake ballots can complicate the verification of legitimate votes. Even if discrepancies are noticed, the inability of polling agents to counter-validate results amplifies fears of dishonest practices going unchallenged. The NDC is calling for thorough preparations as they anticipate intense scrutiny ahead of the elections, highlighting the importance of training their agents adequately to observe and resist any measures aimed at undermining the integrity of the election process.
