‘We do not trust the Electoral Commission’ – NDC’s Fifi Kwetey

The General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticised Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC), alleging partiality and accusing it of creating distrust in its handling of electoral processes.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, December 2, he stated that the NDC will be closely monitoring the EC’s actions in the lead-up to the December 2024 general elections.

“The EC, unfortunately, has placed themselves in a situation where the whole world is watching with eagle eyes,” the Ketu South MP stated.

“Everybody is watching every move with eagle eyes. They should not have placed themselves in that situation, but that’s what they’ve done.”

The NDC General Secretary expressed the party’s lack of confidence in the EC, citing the body’s composition and its conduct during key electoral events.

“Naturally, we as a main opposition party do not trust them. Of course, we don’t trust them. Why should we?” he questioned.

Mr Kwetey argued that the EC’s actions and decisions, particularly its handling of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) and other processes, have demonstrated bias.

“As far as we are concerned, this EC, by its very composition and by what it is that we have seen over the period, will very much want to do everything possible to make the ruling NPP remain in power,” he alleged.

Although he admitted there is no direct evidence of electoral manipulation, Fifi Kwetey pointed to historical incidents and perceived favouritism as grounds for suspicion.

He also highlighted the NDC’s temporary withdrawal from IPAC in protest against what the party deemed an undemocratic environment.

“IPAC has historically been a place for consensus, but because of the intrusions of the EC, we were forced to pull out,” he explained.

Mr Kwetey also revisited a controversial moment when parties were drawing ballots to determine the positioning of presidential candidates on the election paper.

According to him, the EC failed to prevent the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) from undermining the process.

“We told them that no political party should be allowed to take a look into the box where the ballot was. But the NPP flagrantly abused that process and the EC did nothing about it. That doesn’t show you’re strong enough to stand up to the ruling party,” he charged.

He warned that the NDC would remain vigilant during the 2024 elections, ensuring that every action by the EC is scrutinised.

“By the very historical conduct of the EC, from the previous election to some of the things happening in this election, we are clearly going into this with absolute eagle eyes,” he emphasised.

Despite the NDC’s concerns, Fifi Kwetey acknowledged the party’s decision to re-engage with IPAC as an opportunity to influence the process.

“Eventually, we’ve gone back [to IPAC] because we thought, you know what, let’s give ourselves another opportunity to see how things will be,” he said, while maintaining the party’s cautious stance.

Source: myjoyonline.com