Sammi Awuku
The National Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sammi Awuku, has refuted claims by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the Electoral Commission (EC) and the National Identification Authority (NIA) are in league to rig the upcoming elections in favour of the ruling NPP.
“We have never relied on the Electoral Commission since it started its work in 1992. It will be a miracle for the chairperson of the EC and her commissioners to rig the elections for a political party; it will be difficult,” the NPP organizer said on Peace FM last Friday
NDC’s Allegations
At two press conferences last week, members of the NDC created the impression that the activities being undertaken by the NIA and the EC ahead of the 2020 polls were all geared towards rigging the elections.
They are insisting that the use of the Ghana Card and passport as evidence of identification during registration is unfortunate, despite the fact that the EC has said one eligible voter could guarantee up to 10 prospective applicants.
“As we predicted, the Ghana Card registration process by the NIA has been very slow such that to date, the process which commenced with a pilot in late 2017 and was supposed to be completed in one year, has been able to register only 11,062,055 out of about 19 million Ghanaians (15 years and above) who are eligible to be registered,” the NDC Chairman, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, had said, adding “even more bizarre is the fact that out of this 11 million Ghanaians who have been registered, only 7,074,048 have been issued with cards (per NIA’s own website https:nia.gov.gh) as of 2nd May 2020).”
Responding, Sammi Awuku said the NDC was deliberately misinforming the public to score cheap political points. He defended the NPP, saying the party has no intention to rig any election.
“NDC shouldn’t think the EC can rig the election. The NPP vehemently rejects the NDC’s accusation that it is in active connivance with the EC and the NIA,” he pointed out.
Sammi Awuku urged the opposition party to rather focus on how to be vigilant at the polling stations instead of making unfounded allegations.
“I can confidently tell you that NDC members couldn’t collate their results in 2016…they didn’t even know where they lost and where they won. You can’t blame the EC for your inability to open your eyes,” he added.