The largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has given the strongest indication yet that, it will likely contest the results of next year's polls.
NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, who served notice of the opposition party's intentions, said their actions or inactions will largely be based on the conduct of the Chairperson of Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs. Jean Mensa.
To him, if the EC chairperson's conduct regarding the rules governing electoral process remains unchanged, it will be difficult for the NDC to accept the outcome of the election 2020 results.
Speaking on Okay FM’s Ade Akye Abia Morning Show, the NDC Chief Scribe insisted the only basis upon which the NDC can trust EC is through the strict application of the laws governing the electoral process.
“ . . if she follows the application of the law mandated for the EC, there will be trust in the results of the 2020 elections.”
“But if she continues in this tangent without adhering to the law except the application of her will in the electoral process, then it will be another matter al-together. How can you trust that situation? . . . because the law has been put in place to ensure trust in the operations of the EC....
“...we have rules of selecting EC officials to monitor elections at the polling stations and all the political parties have a say in the selection of the officials, and so if she has selected her own people to undertake the limited registration exercise, by ignoring the rules of engagement regarding the organisation of the elections and registration exercises, then who will accept the result she will declare?” he quizzed.
Whiles conceding that the law allows the Electoral Commission (EC) to be independent, he however, pointed out that the Commission in its wisdom established Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) in order to build trust in the electoral process.
“The law allows the EC to do an independent work but why did the Commission established IPAC in the first place? It is because they want political parties to trust the electoral process in the country and for people to trust the EC, which is why IPAC was established,” he said.
The NDC General Secretary therefore warned of consequences to unilateral decisions by the Electoral Commission before, during and after the 2020 polls.
“So if she says she will not work with IPAC again but then she wants people to trust their activities, then it is up to her. She can decide to take any decision on the electoral processes at her whims and caprices by basing them on her constitutional mandate and if no-one understands those decisions, whatever we have to do to challenge the decision, we will do it. She can even announce the dissolution of IPAC since the constitution does not stop her, and then we will see,” he warned.
IPAC Background
Since the dispensation of the 1992 Constitution, political parties have formed the bedrock upon which Ghana’s democracy evolves. The role played by these political parties has contributed immensely to making Ghana the beacon of hope for the African continent.
There is no doubt that the role played by the Inter Party Advisory Committees (IPAC) has brought some cordiality and diplomacy among parties and catalyzed an indirect decision making process on our electoral process since its inception.
The concept of IPAC was conceived by the EC based on experiences gained from the 1992 General Elections. The EC came under intense criticism, especially from political parties in opposition, ranging from the electoral process or the conduct of the polls through to suspicion.
IPAC was therefore formed in March 1994 to bring together representatives of the political parties on a monthly basis with members of EC to discuss and try to build a consensus on electoral issues.
Representatives of the international donor community that have assisted the electoral process are also invited to observe proceedings at IPAC meetings. However, IPAC is not open to the general public or the media.
It must be pointed out that IPAC is a non-statutory advisory body whose decisions are not binding, however, the EC has over the years given consideration to some decisions which were lawful, practical and cost effective.
In view of the vital role IPAC plays in Ghana’s electoral system, the EC has decentralized the concept at the regional, district and constituency level and has been instrumental especially in the conduct of the 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 general elections.
Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
These are some of the uncomfortable things Ofosu Ampofo mention on the tape.Just be smart and see.
This Mosquito man, few years back was lecturing NPP that elections are won at the Polling Stations. Today the same man thinks the 2020 election will be won by the actions of Jean Mensa. Interesting man indeed! Too much noise.
THIS MAN IS SICK. WHEN YOUR OPPONENTS ARE CAMPAIGNING THROUGH THEIR GOOD WORKS, YOU ARE BUSY LOOKING ELSEWHERE. NO MESSAGE, NO CAMPAIGN STRATEGY. I AM SURE EVEN AYARIGA'S PARTY WILL BEAT THE NDC, AS FOR NPP, ITS A DONE DEAL. I HAVE A FEELING ASIEDU NKETIA MAY BE FIGHTING THE EC BECAUSE THE USUAL ELECTIONS CHOP CHOP WILL NOT COME THIS TIME. THE GUY IS PEEVED BIG TIME. CHARLIE THIS MAN WILL QUENCH. MADAM EC CUT ALL THE CHOP CHOP ESPECIALLY IN THE PRINTING OF MATERIALS. THAT WHERE THE REAL BEEF IS.
you too koraa why? you know you won't win. stop all the noise and tell your flag bearer to be respectful and sincere. leave jean mensah alone to do the right thing for this country.
Ghanaians don't mind this thing called human being. Because the wife and children are outside the shores of Ghana, he wants to call for war here but it wont work by the Grace of God. He should bear in mind that if the unfortunate happens he should be assured that he will be the first casualty God willing. FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUL.
is it a sign of defeat or what. Be careful oo Mosquito
Ndc has nothing to offer,all they think about is elections!!! Aseidu nketia u are just a noise making ügly ápe with no brain!!!
Ntuntum, why do you want to feel like king-kong? We will see, we will see, we won’t see fooko. If you think what the EC is doing is wrong you of all politicians should know where to go abi? Make you stop the unnecessary ***barred word*** king-kong noises. Again I tell you by the power vested in me YOU CAN’T DO FOOKO!!! Te fa mu wo ho babi na yen dwen yen ho. Wo hwe peete takra mu ahu se enko yie enti na election a yen select candidates enwie3 wo huri with conditions already in accepting its results. Wo ani na awu anim guase ni ntuntum
asiedu nkatia, WHY ! WHY!! WHY!!! YOU AND ALL N D C MEMBERS ARE ALL PANICKING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO IN THE YEAR 2020 AFTER YOUR PARTY LOOSE THE ELECTION. I WISH THE COURT WILL JAIL ofosu ampofo. NDC PARTY WILL NE VER AGAIN TASTE POWER PERIOD .
This ***barred word*** ***barred word*** and his evil gangs must try any wrong move 2020 elections and see what will happen to them.Their end is surely up;real nation wreckers.Ghana is better off without this evil NDC.