The National Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye affectionately known as Nana B has slammed the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for demanding a forensic audit of the voter register, calling it “unwarranted, empty, and rejectable.”
In a recent Facebook post, Nana B pointed out that the NDC hasn’t provided any solid legal grounds for handing over the Electoral Commission’s constitutional authority to an external party. His criticism comes amidst NDC’s claims of discrepancies in the voter register, with some regions expressing concern about the register’s credibility. However, Nana Boakye remains adamant that the NDC’s demands lack substance and should be dismissed.
Nana Boakye emphasized that the Electoral Commission (EC) has the sole authority to compile and manage the electoral register, as well as supervise all elections, according to Article 45 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 2 of the Electoral Commission Act, 1993 (Act 451). This ensures the EC’s independence, as stated in Article 46 of the Constitution and Section 3 of Act 451, protecting it from external control or direction.
He emphasized that the Supreme Court has consistently supported the Electoral Commission’s (EC) independence, citing landmark cases such as Philip Kwaku Apaloo (2010), Ransford France (2012), Abu Ramadan Series (No. 1 and 2), and NDC v AG (2020). These cases establish that the EC has the sole authority to make decisions, choosing from various options, without interference from external parties, including the Courts, unless the decision violates the Constitution.
In essence, Boakye’s argument hinges on the EC’s constitutional mandate to manage elections and maintain its independence. This means that no one can dictate how the EC performs its duties, ensuring impartiality and fairness in Ghana’s electoral process. Nana B stressed that the Electoral Commission’s (EC) collaboration with political parties to address concerns has been a cornerstone of Ghana’s Fourth Republic, yielding five successful elections. This approach, facilitated through the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), has consistently resolved issues and ensured the EC’s independence.
Nana B argued that the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) push for third-party involvement in the EC’s constitutional mandate undermines this independence. He emphasized that while stakeholder engagement is essential, it doesn’t grant the right to dictate the EC’s decisions.
“The EC’s independence is non-negotiable,” he asserted, urging rejection of the NDC’s call for a forensic audit.