EC has refused to give us 2019 provisional register – NDC

The opposition NDC has accused the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensah of deliberately failing to provide them with a copy of the provisional register for the 2020 general elections.

According to the party, the failure by the Electoral Commission to provide the register is preventing them from monitoring the ongoing exhibition exercise.

They also alleged that the Commission has however provided a copy to the incumbent NPP despite denying them same.

During a press conference which was addressed by chairman of the party, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, he said “we have only one day left for the exhibition of the voters’ register to close. Yet, the Jean Mensah and Bossman Asare team have not provided the NDC with a copy of the 2019 provisional register as required by law.

According to regulation 22(2) of the Public Elections Regulations (Voter Registration) C.I.91 and I quote, “At the end of the compilation of the provisional register as provided in sub-regulation (1), a copy of the provisional register shall be given to each registered political party in the form determined by the Commission.”

"It has however been alleged that the EC has selectively made copies of the provisional register available to the NPP. But in our case despite repeated requests and reminders we have to date not received any,” he added.

The party has sued the electoral commission to be given order by the court to release the provisional register.

“We have been compelled to go to court for an order directed at the Jean Mensah-Bossman Asare Commission to, among others, give us copies of the register as required by law”.

The NDC also questioned the EC on when and how the STL contract was terminated without the party’s knowledge with the demand for answers to the following questions;

1. When was the STL contract terminated?

2. Was due process followed in terminating the contract?

3. Which body or entity duly constituted under law terminated the contract?

4. Who is managing the IT system now at the EC and how was that entity procured under the procurement laws of Ghana?

5. How come that political parties who are major stakeholders in the electoral process in this country have completely been ignored in this whole exercise?”

The party called on the general moral society and the diplomatic community to closely monitor the conduct of the EC under Jean Mensah and Bossman Asare.

"We must make common cause to ensure that the EC complies with its own regulations and that it is accountable, transparent and fair-minded."