The National Organiser of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, has said the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) demand for an audit of the voters’ register should not be given an attention.
He has described the call as “unwarranted, empty, and must be rejected.”
The NPP National Organiser has said in a Facebook post Tuesday, September 17, 2024, that the NDC’s demand from the EC to grant its constitutional mandate to a third party is not backed by any legislation.
He says Article 45 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 2 of the Electoral Commission Act, 1993 (Act 451) give the EC the exclusive mandate to compile a voters’ register and supervise all elections.
In addition, he said Article 46 of the Constitution and Section 3 of Act 451 also guarantees the independence of the Commission, ensuring it is not subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.
Nana Boakye further cited some Supreme Court cases including Philip Kwaku Apaloo (2010), Ransford France (2012), Abu Ramadan Series (No. 1 and 2), and NDC v AG (2020), to reemphasise similar instances where the courts have upheld the independence of the EC.
He stressed that the decision to involve a third party in the performance of the Commission’s responsibilities lies in its own discretion, and cannot be compelled by any other body, including the courts.
Nana Boakye also indicated that the EC’s current practice of working with political parties to address concerns has been in place throughout the Fourth Republic, resulting in five successful elections.
He says therefore, that the call to engage a third party violates the Commission’s independence and should not be tolerated.
Nana Boakye reemphasised that the engagement of the political parties through the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) does not warrant any party the room to dictate to the Commission on how to carry its mandate.
FULL TEXT: NDC’s petition to EC for forensic audit of voters’ register
