The Electoral Commission (EC) has laid bare the shenanigans of political parties led by the largest opposition, the National Democratic (NDC) after they walked out on a meeting convened for a demonstration on a new voters register.
The parties comprised the People’s National Convention (PNC), Eagle Party, All People’s Congress (APC), United Front Party (UFP) and the NDC.
ALSO READ : NDC and NPP perfect at abusing the trust of Ghanaians – Hassan Ayariga
The parties were reportedly invited by the EC for a demonstration on the new system developed by some consultants.
The NDC and the others, however, boycotted the meeting and accused the Jean Mensah-led administration of sidelining the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) in preparations for elections 2020.
The NDC accused Jean Mensah of bringing in a new advisory committee to do the work of IPAC and questioned the motive for the composition of the advisory committee for the EC.
“She has now brought in new advisory committee and we are asking what’s that committee supposed to do? Are they going to do the work of IPAC or they are going to advise on something else?”
“So that tells you that IPAC is being sidelined. She should provide us the necessary information to decide. As at now, IPAC has not taken any decision, nobody has taken any decision to introduce a new register,” NDC Deputy General Secretary, Peter Boamah Otukonor.
However, a letter purported to be from the EC inviting the political parties to the demonstration of the biometric voter management solution it is adapting has surfaced.
The letter, signed by Dr. Bossman Eric Asare, Deputy Chair Corporate Services and dated 4th December 2019 among other things states: “As a follow-up to our discussions on the procurement of a Biometric Voter Management Solution for the Electoral Commission, you are kindly invited to a demonstration by a number of vendors shortlisted by the electoral Commission.”
“This will cover both the software and the hardware of the Biometric Voter Management Solution,” the letter reads and indicated the date, time and venue for the demonstration.
Incidentally, the copy of the letter cited by GhanaCrusader.com is addressed to the NPP and copied to its chairman indicating the ruling party was aware of the demonstration.
However, whether the NDC and the other political parties received the same letter and the same communication from the EC is unclear.
The opposition parties reportedly boycotted the meeting amidst accusations that the EC pulled a fast one by jumping them with the biometric voter management solution demonstration exercise.
Find a copy of the invitation letter to the NPP below:
