The largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has given the strongest indication yet that, it will likely contest the results of next year's polls.
NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, who served notice of the opposition party's intentions, said their actions or inactions will largely be based on the conduct of the Chairperson of Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs. Jean Mensa.
To him, if the EC chairperson's conduct regarding the rules governing electoral process remains unchanged, it will be difficult for the NDC to accept the outcome of the election 2020 results.
Speaking on Okay FM’s Ade Akye Abia Morning Show, the NDC Chief Scribe insisted the only basis upon which the NDC can trust EC is through the strict application of the laws governing the electoral process.
“ . . if she follows the application of the law mandated for the EC, there will be trust in the results of the 2020 elections.”
“But if she continues in this tangent without adhering to the law except the application of her will in the electoral process, then it will be another matter al-together. How can you trust that situation? . . . because the law has been put in place to ensure trust in the operations of the EC....
“...we have rules of selecting EC officials to monitor elections at the polling stations and all the political parties have a say in the selection of the officials, and so if she has selected her own people to undertake the limited registration exercise, by ignoring the rules of engagement regarding the organisation of the elections and registration exercises, then who will accept the result she will declare?” he quizzed.
Whiles conceding that the law allows the Electoral Commission (EC) to be independent, he however, pointed out that the Commission in its wisdom established Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) in order to build trust in the electoral process.
“The law allows the EC to do an independent work but why did the Commission established IPAC in the first place? It is because they want political parties to trust the electoral process in the country and for people to trust the EC, which is why IPAC was established,” he said.
The NDC General Secretary therefore warned of consequences to unilateral decisions by the Electoral Commission before, during and after the 2020 polls.
“So if she says she will not work with IPAC again but then she wants people to trust their activities, then it is up to her. She can decide to take any decision on the electoral processes at her whims and caprices by basing them on her constitutional mandate and if no-one understands those decisions, whatever we have to do to challenge the decision, we will do it. She can even announce the dissolution of IPAC since the constitution does not stop her, and then we will see,” he warned.
IPAC Background
Since the dispensation of the 1992 Constitution, political parties have formed the bedrock upon which Ghana’s democracy evolves. The role played by these political parties has contributed immensely to making Ghana the beacon of hope for the African continent.
There is no doubt that the role played by the Inter Party Advisory Committees (IPAC) has brought some cordiality and diplomacy among parties and catalyzed an indirect decision making process on our electoral process since its inception.
The concept of IPAC was conceived by the EC based on experiences gained from the 1992 General Elections. The EC came under intense criticism, especially from political parties in opposition, ranging from the electoral process or the conduct of the polls through to suspicion.
IPAC was therefore formed in March 1994 to bring together representatives of the political parties on a monthly basis with members of EC to discuss and try to build a consensus on electoral issues.
Representatives of the international donor community that have assisted the electoral process are also invited to observe proceedings at IPAC meetings. However, IPAC is not open to the general public or the media.
It must be pointed out that IPAC is a non-statutory advisory body whose decisions are not binding, however, the EC has over the years given consideration to some decisions which were lawful, practical and cost effective.
In view of the vital role IPAC plays in Ghana’s electoral system, the EC has decentralized the concept at the regional, district and constituency level and has been instrumental especially in the conduct of the 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 general elections.
Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]
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ah ediot elections are won at the polling station so ensure vigilance at that place but still ndc will loose
Jean, just keep focused and do what is right according to your work discription as EC Boss. You have the whole of Ghana behind you and no amount of NDC's mischief can malign your hard-earned reputation. Collaterally, NDC is being distroyed in her own planted evil forest of lies and malice aforethought. Out of her own political incompetence, she is despirately bent on propaganda, baseless polemic, dirty politicking to grievously compensate her inability to formulate subtansive Governace and Economic policies to match NPP. Thus, can only come to power through the back door, rigging of elections and hence feels uncomfortable with the presence of Jean as EC Boss who is strongly determined to do the right thing by law. That is the problem of the NDC beating about the bussh and its' excesses.
Asiedu dont worry Jean Mensah wont declare , it will be a knock out at around one okay
This man koraaa why eeiii. Can't imagine how he sees his NDC followers. He treats them like they cannot think for themselves. He must stop this plenty mouth talk and work hard because 2020 is a done deal for Nana.
A CLEAR DEFINITION OF A LOSER *DON'T FORGET YOU SAID ANY ***barred word*** CAN GO TO COURT SO THE COURT WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU TO HEAR YOUR IDIOCY*
So even if she declares NDC winner koraaa you will not accept it.???
IDIOTIC ASIEDU NKETIAH'S OUTBURSTS AND PRONOUNCEMENTS ARE REALLY BECOMING TOO MUCH AND MUST BE STOPPED. OUR SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES SHOULD TREAT OUTLAW NKETIAH'S EFFUSIONS WITH ALL URGENCY AND SERIOUSNESS. KENNEDY AGYAPONG MADE A NOT SO SERIOUS AND TROUBLING STATEMENT SOMETIME AGO UNDER THE NDC ADMINISTRATION AND WAS ARRESTED, ROUGHED UP AND TREATED LIKE AN INVADING FORCE READY TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT AND SET GHANA ABLAZE! WHY IS IT THAT THIS ***barred word***, CORRUPT AND A ***barred word*** SO-CALLED GENERAL SECRETARY GENERAL OF A ROWDY PARTY SPEWING SENSELESS THREATS TO A SITTING EC CHAIRWOMAN? PLEASE DON'T DISREGARD THESE THREATS AS EMPTY AND VAGUE KNOWING WHO AND WHICH PARTY THIS LOSER, BARBARIC, LOW IQ AND ***barred word*** IS AFFILIATED WITH!!!
This is child talk and not expected by somebody who call himself General Mosquito. Tweaa lazy talk. This man does like the truth and is leaving ON THIS EARTH. I pray that Nana ban vigilantes otherwise there will be trouble for this man. When the Hawks of his party were shooting in Kumasi, I was told he and Ofosu Ampofo ran to hide in a cupboard....hehe..hehe
This man has seen defeat coming and is now looking for excuses. Were you not the one who told NPP that elections are won at polling stations? Oh! now elections are won at Jean Mensah's office. *Foooooooooll* use less man who wears ladies jacket with no sense
Oh Asiedu Nkestia we had now known that NDC had lost the elections already.