The Electoral Commission is failing to inspire confidence as the nation gears up for the December 7th, 2024, presidential and parliamentary elections. Many perceive a lack of transparency and collaboration between the Commission and major political stakeholders, casting doubts on its ability to impartially manage the electoral process.
During a segment on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra, Hon. Sanja Nanja, the Member of Parliament for Atebubu Amantin, expressed concerns about the EC’s handling of the upcoming polls. He highlighted reports of parliamentary candidates attempting to manipulate votes by bussing voters from other constituencies to boost their margins, undermining the fairness and credibility of the election results.
In addition, John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), criticized the EC’s decision to exclude political party agents from observing the ongoing vote transfer exercise. In a Facebook post, Mahama accused the EC of colluding with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rig the elections, citing the reversal of a collective decision made at an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting.
The EC justified its decision by citing violent clashes at some transfer centers, but Mahama argued that it was a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise voters and tilt the election outcome in favor of the NPP. He asserted that the NPP’s alliance with the EC reflects its acknowledgment of an impending defeat in the elections and its resort to unethical tactics to sway the results.
The unfolding developments raise serious concerns about the integrity and fairness of the electoral process, with stakeholders calling for greater transparency and accountability from the Electoral Commission.
[Story by: AYM Kukah]
