The Electoral Commission (EC) has rejected accusations by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that it is plotting with the National Identification Authority (NIA) to rig the December polls for President Akufo-Addo.
According to the EC, it is impossible for any institution to rig polls in the country because of the transparent process of elections in Ghana.
“It is impossible for the Commission to conspire with any political party or institution as being speculated by Mr Ofosu-Ampofo and the NDC since the electoral processes remain transparent at all levels.
“As an independent body, the Electoral Commission is mandated to conduct free, fair and transparent elections within the confines of the law and will continue to perform its functions as such without fear or favour,” the Commission said in a statement Friday.
The statement said the commission is aware of the ” attempts by the NDC to misinform the general public and the electorate about its operations and bring its name into disrepute at a Press Conference held on Thursday, 14th May 2020″.
It comes as the NIA also denies accusations of working to enhance the chances the President in the December polls.
“There is no truth to this allegation. NIA does not operate on the basis of political strongholds. Our operations planning is based on population statistics obtained from Ghana Statistical Service. There has been no deliberate effort to prevent applicants in any region to register”.
It added: “While it is true the exclusion of the voter ID card as a primary registration requirement has increased the number of applicants needing to be vouched for, this process has been a part of our electoral practice under the Fourth Republic. The only difference now is that requirement that the oath be sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths or Magistrate. This ensures greater document integrity as guarantors appreciate the consequences of perjury in swearing the oath of identity. NIA ensures that a Commissioner for Oaths is available at every registration centre, at no cost to the applicants. Indeed, over 70% of applicants for the Ghana Card used this method to validate their citizenship nationwide”.
Chairman of the NDC Samuel Ofosu Ampofo on Thursday accused the state agencies of Voter suppression in NDC strongholds.
“The President seeing defeat staring glaringly at him, he is in conjunction with the Jean Mensa led EC and the Ken Attafuah led NIA desperately scheming to rig the 2020 elections and hold on to power at all cost.
“Not even the unusual circumstances we find ourselves in which requires that we pull together for our collective survival as a nation are enough to deter the actors of this plot from their ungodly act,” Mr. Ofosu Ampofo said.