If EC fails, NDC will monitor our election 2023

If the Electoral Commission (EC) fails to take command of the presidential and parliamentary primaries scheduled for Saturday, May 13, 2023, the opposition National Democratic Congress says it will organize and oversee the elections.

In a meeting with the NDC’s leadership on Wednesday, the EC indicated that it would not supervise the Party’s primaries due to a lawsuit filed by one of the presidential candidates, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor.

Dr. Duffuor has subsequently withdrawn the petition, clearing the way for Saturday’s elections.

Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the National Chairman of the NDC, stated at a news conference on Friday in Accra that, despite having contacted the Commission earlier today, the Party had not yet received any assurance from the EC regarding its willingness to oversee the party’s primaries.

In the event that the EC failed to conduct the primaries, he stated that the Party would rely on internal structures to carry out the process.

According to him, the decision to utilize the Party’s internal election administration authority was made at a Functional Executive Council (FEC) meeting earlier today.

“Our preference is for them to fulfill the commitments they’ve made, but if they fail to do so, we will resort to other means to elect our candidates tomorrow,” he said.

He urged aggrieved parties or parties that may become aggrieved after the elections to seek redress through the Party’s internal structures.

Mr. Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, the Party’s General Secretary, provided additional information in advance of the primaries, stating that elections would be held in all constituencies across the nation.

However, he indicated that elections in some constituencies with special challenges had been postponed and would be held at a date that has not yet been communicated.

Presidential elections would be held in 275 constituencies, excluding Manhyia South.

In addition, 212 constituencies would hold elections for the House of Commons, with the elections in 16 constituencies being postponed and candidates in 47 constituencies running unopposed.

In total, 356,624 electors are anticipated to participate in the elections, which will be held in 420 polling locations across the nation.

There are three candidates for the presidency and 739 candidates for the numerous parliamentary positions.

Mr. Kwetey indicated that the delegate list would be the primary document used for the elections, and that the leadership would be responsible for its implementation.

He urged all delegates to present the European Union Voter ID Card as identification.

“I can assure you that all logistical preparations have been made to ensure that the ballot materials reach all of the designated polling locations on time,” he continued.