Justin Kodua Frimpong, General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has openly criticized the recent ‘Enough is Enough’ demonstration organized by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against the Electoral Commission (EC). He deemed the protest unjustified, pointing out the NDC’s failure to provide substantive evidence of irregularities in the provisional voters’ register.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Kodua Frimpong expressed disbelief that the NDC had not yet submitted any concrete evidence regarding the alleged discrepancies and irregularities they claim to have uncovered in the voters’ register. He emphasized that the claims made by the NDC have not been substantiated by any documentation, despite multiple requests from the EC for details.
“Many Ghanaians and the NPP cannot comprehend why the NDC has not submitted to the EC detailed information of its so-called irregularities, discrepancies, and unauthorized entries in the provisional voters’ register despite several appeals by the EC,” he stated.
Frimpong highlighted specific allegations made by the NDC in their petition to the EC, noting that they claimed to have discovered evidence of 243,540 illegal transfers, 3,957 deleted names, and over 15,000 unidentified voter transfer cards in the provisional register. However, he pointed out that thirteen days after their initial meeting with the EC on September 6, 2024, the NDC had failed to provide any documents to support these serious claims.
“Yet 13 days after the NDC first met the EC on September 6, 2024, they have still not provided a single document to authenticate any of these allegations. We ask, is this not interesting?” Frimpong remarked, questioning the credibility of the NDC’s claims.
He further questioned the motives behind the demonstration, arguing that if the NDC indeed possessed evidence of illegal transfers, they should have submitted this information to the EC for verification and potential action. “Indeed, if the NDC has any evidence of illegal transfers, why have they not submitted evidence of such an illegality to be reversed by the EC?” he asked.
Frimpong asserted that the NPP believes the demonstration would have been warranted if the EC had neglected to act upon receiving concrete evidence from the NDC regarding the alleged irregularities. “We believe strongly that the nationwide demonstration by the NDC would have been justified had the EC failed to act after receiving evidence from the NDC on the alleged irregularities and discrepancies,” he stated.
The NPP’s criticism of the NDC’s actions comes in the context of heightened political tension as Ghana prepares for the upcoming elections. The allegations of irregularities in the voters’ register and the subsequent demonstration have reignited debates surrounding electoral integrity and the responsibilities of both political parties and the EC.
Frimpong’s remarks reflect the NPP’s stance on the matter, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in the electoral process. He called for all parties involved to engage constructively in discussions rather than resorting to public demonstrations without substantiated claims.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the NPP’s criticism of the NDC’s protest highlights the complexities surrounding Ghana’s electoral system. The need for evidence-based discourse is paramount, particularly as citizens seek assurances that their democratic processes are fair and credible.
The NDC, on the other hand, has maintained its position that there are significant issues with the provisional voters’ register that must be addressed. Their demonstration was intended to draw attention to these concerns and pressure the EC to take action. However, without presenting the necessary evidence to back their claims, the effectiveness of such protests may be called into question.
In summary, the NPP’s criticism of the NDC’s demonstration underscores the importance of providing tangible evidence when making allegations against electoral processes. As both parties navigate the upcoming electoral landscape, the focus must remain on fostering a transparent and credible electoral environment that upholds the principles of democracy in Ghana.
