With just days before Ghana’s December 7 election, the Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah has expressed serious concerns over the Electoral Commission’s (EC) management of the election process.
Speaking in an interview with Alfred Ocansey on the KeyPoints on Saturday, November 30, 2024, Boakye-Danquah highlighted troubling issues with the printing of ballot papers, including discrepancies in serial numbers, which have raised alarm just one week before the vote.
He pointed to significant errors in the ballot paper printing process, particularly discrepancies in serial numbers in regions like Greater Accra and Bono.
These issues were reportedly discovered after the ballots had already been dispatched, prompting the EC to request the affected ballots be returned. Boakye-Danquah described these errors as “unpardonable,” especially given the proximity to election day.
“I am very troubled by the behavior of the Electoral Commission,” Boakye-Danquah stated.
“In this country, when people are about to sit exams, the exam papers are printed in a highly secure environment, and there’s a process of verification before they are released. Why isn’t the same level of scrutiny applied to printing ballot papers? These mistakes cannot be allowed this close to elections,” he lamented.
The concerns raised by Boakye-Danquah reflect a growing concerns from political parties, civil society, and the public at large.
He emphasized that the election is particularly crucial for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as they seek to elect Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the next president of Ghana. Boakye-Danquah expressed worry that such mistakes could undermine public confidence in the election process.
“This election is critical for the New Patriotic Party. We want to see Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia become the next President of Ghana,” he said. “The EC is the only body that ensures the proper conduct of the election, and it’s essential that the people of Ghana have full confidence in its ability to manage the process.”
He further stressed that the errors made by the EC so close to election day raise serious doubts about the credibility and transparency of the process.
“We cannot afford to have such mistakes this late. The Electoral Commission must act now to correct these issues,” he added.
Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah made a direct plea to the Electoral Commission to resolve the outstanding issues quickly to ensure the election can proceed smoothly and without controversy.
“We beg the Electoral Commission, please correct these issues now. The trust of the Ghanaian people is crucial, and without it, the election will be undermined. We need to make sure the election is free, fair, and transparent,” he urged.
The pressure is mounting on the EC to address these issues swiftly to ensure a credible election.
As election day draws closer, all eyes are now on the Electoral Commission to resolve these concerns and ensure that the election is free, fair, and transparent for all Ghanaians.
By Christabel Success Treve
