The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has voiced strong objections to what it describes as an unlawful declaration of parliamentary results for the Damongo Constituency in the Savannah Region. The party raised concerns about electoral irregularities and called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to rectify the situation promptly.
Events Leading to the Controversy
On December 8, 2024, violence erupted at the Damongo Constituency Collation Centre, with young protesters vandalizing the premises and setting the EC's municipal office warehouse on fire. This led to the relocation of the collation process to the regional EC office.
However, the NDC alleged that the Savannah Regional EC Director, Johnson Akafiu, prematurely declared the results at a secret location in the presence of only security personnel, without the required NDC representative.
Key Concerns Raised by the NDC
Unresolved Irregularities:
Missing ballot booklets and unaccounted ballot papers from several polling stations.
Over-voting at 13 polling stations, which has not been investigated or addressed.
Premature Declaration:
The declaration occurred despite several polling station results being outstanding.
The announcement was made by someone unauthorized to act as the Returning Officer for the constituency.
Violation of Electoral Laws:
The declaration was described as illegal, fraudulent, and a breach of established electoral procedures.
Demands by the NDC
The NDC has called on the EC to:
Investigate the alleged removal of ballot papers and missing ballot booklets.
Reverse the unauthorized declaration and publicly announce this reversal.
Resume the collation process transparently, ensuring accountability and adherence to legal protocols.
The party emphasized its commitment to peace and respect for democratic principles but warned against taking this stance as an excuse for malpractice.
Appeals to Stakeholders
The NDC has urged the EC, civil society organizations, and international observers to ensure that due process is upheld in the Damongo Constituency. They reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the will of the people and maintaining the integrity of Ghana's electoral process.
This development adds to the mounting electoral disputes in the country, testing the resilience of Ghana’s democracy during the 2024 elections.
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