The Deputy Director of Elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mahdi Jebril, has shared insights into the party’s remarkable performance in the recent elections. According to him, while the NDC was confident of victory, the margin of over 1.6 million votes—more than double the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) victory margin in 2016—was unexpected.
Reflecting on the results, Mr. Jebril emphasized the importance of their hard work, which contributed significantly to their success, even though the scale of the victory surpassed their expectations. He pointed out that the saying “elections are won at the polling station” remains crucial. Had the NPP been more vigilant and strategic, he believes they might have reduced the vote gap.
Mr. Jebril also alleged that the NPP has a history of manipulating election figures, particularly in their stronghold, the Ashanti Region. He claimed that even in elections where the NPP lost, such as in 1992 and 1996, there were instances where their numbers appeared inflated.
His remarks underline the NDC’s commitment to transparency and vigilance in ensuring that elections reflect the true will of the people.
He further commented on the delay in announcing certain results, suggesting that it raises serious questions about the neutrality of the Electoral Commission. According to him, the situation hints at a possible agenda to favour one side over the other. He emphasized that such actions undermine the principles of transparency and fairness, which are essential for maintaining public trust in democratic institutions.
“The lack of timely updates on these results is concerning,” he stated. “It not only casts doubt on the integrity of the process but also fuels speculation about potential bias. The Electoral Commission must remember its duty to serve the interest of the people, not any particular political agenda.”
He called on stakeholders, including civil society organizations and international observers, to scrutinize the process closely to ensure accountability. “We can not allow the cornerstone of our democracy to be compromised. The people deserve nothing less than a transparent and credible process,” he concluded.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson
