THE OPPOSITION National Democratic Congress (NDC) has annulled results of the party’s elections in three constituencies in the Eastern Region, citing a breach of directive for the postponement of elections in some selected areas, including those constituencies.
The party’s National Elections Directorate (NED) said the elections held in Atiwa West, Mpraeso, and Afram Plains South are not only illegal, but also null and void.
“The National Election Directorate wishes to place on record that the purported elections in those constituencies are illegal and hence, null and void,” it emphasised in a statement issued.
The statement, signed by Daniel Amartey Mensah of the NED, added that “the party does not and will not recognise those elections and their outcomes.”
According to the statement, this decision includes other constituencies who have violated other directives of the Elections Directorate in the conduct of their elections, particularly the inclusion of branches that are excluded from partaking in the elections and the exclusion or inclusion of persons who have been either qualified or disqualified from being on the ballot sheet by the appeals process.
The Elections Directorate said it would publish a full list of these constituencies in the coming days.
The statement noted that the party, in due course, would conduct elections in these constituencies to be supervised by the National Elections Directorate itself.
“In the meantime, the party shall investigate the unsanctioned elections in these constituencies and punish all the culprits involved,” it added.
It continued that all other constituencies affected by the NDC Functional Executive Committee’s (FEC) earlier directive “are to take a cue from this and strictly observe all the directives and guidelines pertaining to the conduct of the ongoing constituency elections.”
Postponement
A day before the elections, the NDC issued a statement that it had suspended elections, which were to come off Saturday, in some constituencies across six regions, including the three constituencies, over disputes of delegates’ lists.
The party named the regions as the Eastern, Central, Volta, Greater Accra, Western, and Upper West.
According to Amartey Mensah, the National Elections Committee, under the guidance of the FEC of the party, decided to put the elections on hold partly due to exclusion of some candidates from ballot papers, despite having qualified through the appeal process.
Eastern Region
In the Eastern Region, he disclosed that elections at Afram Plains South, Mpraeso, Atiwa East, Atiwa West, Achiase, Nkawkaw, Upper West Akim, Afram Plains North, Akim Swedru, Akropong, Fanteakwa South (Youth Wing election), Asene Manso Akroso (Women’s Wing election) have all been put on hold.
Central Region
For the Central Region, the statement indicated that elections at Cape Coast North and Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese had been suspended because of issues with the ballot list.
Volta Region
In the Volta Region, elections of the Hohoe and the Sogakope constituencies are on hold, Mr. Amartey Mensah announced.
Western Region/Upper West
The NDC said Prestea Huni Valley and Shama elections had also been suspended, while election at Jirapa in the Upper West Region was on hold.
Greater Accra
The party again indicated that elections at Shai Osudoku, Bortianor Ngleshie, Ningo Prampram, Ledzokuku, Ayawaso North, Amasaman, and Adentan had all been put on hold over various issues.
The statement explained that in constituencies where the issues are related to ballot papers, such constituencies would be required to include candidates who have been duly cleared to contest through the appeal process on their ballot papers and exclude candidates who have been disqualified through the appeals process from the ballot papers.
“Elections will not be held till ballot papers are rectified,” the statement stressed, adding that constituencies with branch issues would have their elections conducted with the exception of certain limited branches.
The party warned, “Failure to strictly adhere to this directive will render any election illegal, hence a nullity, and appropriate sanctions will be applied to any person found culpable.”
According to the statement, further to FEC’s earlier directive for all constituency elections in respect of all 17 elective positions to be held in one day, all Election Committees, candidates and stakeholders should note that the counting of ballots and declaration of results in respect of Youth Wing and Women’s Wing elections have been put on hold until after the conclusion of voting in respect of the constituency election conference.
“The chairman and constituency executives are responsible for the venue for the constituency conference. Where there are disagreements, the elections venue shall be at the district capital,” the statement noted further.
The national elections directorate advised all members, delegates and officials of the party as well as candidates and election committees to strictly abide by the guidelines for the smooth conduct of the polls in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful manner.
“The National Elections Committee of the National Democratic Congress wishes to inform the rank and file of the party across the nation that all is set for the party’s constituency elections scheduled to take place this weekend,” the statement said.
It urged, “All constituency delegates are required to turn up at their various constituency conference centres with their voter identification cards and NDC membership cards in order to vote.”
BY Ernest Kofi Adu