(NDC disassociate ourselves from the ongoing issues surrounding the electoral processes

PRESS RELEASE

TO: ALL MEDIA HOUSES

The leadership and members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ablekuma North Constituency wish to categorically disassociate ourselves from the ongoing issues surrounding the electoral processes in the constituency.

For the avoidance of doubt and to provide clarity, we outline below the events that led to the current situation:

1. Smooth Electoral Process

The electoral process initially began smoothly with all parties fully involved and observing the laid-down procedures.

2. Unauthorized Pink Sheets Incident

During the collation process, an unfortunate incident occurred where the District Electoral Officer, Mr. Francis Opoku, with the support of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ablekuma North, Hon. Kofi Ofori (a.k.a. Bella), clandestinely entered the collation center with unauthorized pink sheets. But for the vigilance of our Constituency Organizer, Hon. Musah Kalamu, these unauthorized pink sheets could have been added to those openly submitted for collation.

We wish to emphasize that this incident occurred in the presence of the District Police Commander and his officers, who, in our opinion, failed to act independently and professionally. Despite the seriousness of this breach, these individuals were allowed to leave the collation center without arrest or interrogation. This development undermined the transparency and integrity of the entire process and diminished trust in the Police Command present at the collation center.

3. NPP Parliamentary Candidate’s Conduct

On the same day, the NPP Parliamentary Candidate, Hon. Akua Afriyie, entered the collation center without any pink sheets and demanded that certain ballot boxes be brought to the center for recounting. This demand was inconsistent with the provisions of *C.I. 127*, which govern electoral processes.

This development triggered a standoff and chaos at the Kwashieman location, where some ballot boxes had been stored. During the confusion, the Police fired live ammunition, pepper spray, and tear gas at unarmed civilians. It is our firm belief that this compromised the security and integrity of the ballot boxes.

4. Unexplained Presence of EC Officials and Police Personnel

On Monday, 16th December 2024, seven days after the elections, our intelligence revealed that officials from the Electoral Commission (EC) and some Police personnel were deployed to the storage site where the ballot boxes had been kept. The reason provided was that the EC Chairperson, Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensah, had instructed them to secure the boxes.

It is worth noting that these ballot boxes had remained at the same location since the elections without incident. The sudden deployment, therefore, raises significant questions.

5. Re-Collation Attempts and Suspicious Fire Despite the EC’s Returning Officer having officially declared our candidate, Hon. Ewurabena Aubynn, as the winner of the Parliamentary election, we have received information suggesting a plan to conduct an illegal re-collation of results.

Suspiciously, on the same night the EC deployed its personnel for “protection,” the ballot boxes mysteriously caught fire. This raises serious concerns about the EC’s role in safeguarding the electoral process and materials.

PINK SHEETS INCONSISTENCIES

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ablekuma North Constituency has followed with keen interest the blatant inconsistencies surrounding the NPP Parliamentary Candidate, Hon. Akua Afriyie, regarding her pink sheets.

From the onset, Hon. Akua Afriyie was unable to produce a single pink sheet to support her claims during the collation process—a fact well known to the Electoral Commission (EC), the NDC, and other stakeholders.

However, in a dramatic twist on 17th December 2024, during an interview with Portia Gabor on TV3’s News 360, Hon. Akua Afriyie suddenly claimed to have all her pink sheets. This assertion directly contradicts the earlier admission made by the NPP Constituency Chairman on Citi News with Umar Sanda Amadu, where he stated categorically that the NPP had no pink sheets except for scanned copies collated by their national executives.

It is deeply concerning that such actions and misinformation have the potential to undermine the peace and stability of the Ablekuma North Constituency and Ghana as a whole. The electoral process must not be compromised on the altar of one individual’s whimsical and capricious desire to enter the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana.

QUESTIONS FOR THE NPP PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE AND THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION

In light of the above developments, we demand answers to the following:

1. What exactly does the NPP and their Parliamentary Candidate seek to achieve with such blatant dishonesty and inconsistencies?

2. Why were EC officials and Police personnel deployed to the storage site without the involvement or notification of political parties, who are key stakeholders in the electoral process?

3. Why was the evacuation of the ballot boxes undertaken at night? Why was this process not conducted in broad daylight, under the full supervision of all stakeholders, to ensure transparency and eliminate suspicion.

OUR POSITION

The Ablekuma North Constituency branch of the NDC wishes to unequivocally disassociate itself from these suspicious activities and irregularities. We demand immediate answers and accountability from the Electoral Commission and the security agencies involved.

The NDC in Ablekuma North remains resolute in our commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring that the will of the people is respected. We call on all relevant authorities, including the Electoral Commission, to take note of these developments and act in the interest of fairness, transparency, and peace.

SIGNED:

ABLEKUMA NORTH CONSTITUENCY NDC ELECTION DIRECTORATE

Contacts:
Hon. Musah Kalamu – 0244081919
Daniel Tornyigah – 0552626935

DATE: 17th December 2024