The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has inquired from the Electoral Commission (EC) an update on investigations into electoral malpractices which characterised the December 28 referendum.

In a letter Tuesday addressed to the EC, General Secretary of the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, said the request is to alert the EC to redeem a “promise made by the Chairperson of the EC on December 28, 2018, to thoroughly investigate all allegations of electoral malpractices...” 

The NDC he added holds the view that the impact of what transpired at the December referenda on the successful conduct of 2020 elections cannot be underestimated.

“Hence, the pressing need to find the causes, the culprits and the concrete actions by the commission aimed at finding a credible lasting solution to the identified challenge to prevent their reoccurrence in future elections,” the statement said.

Below is the statement:

Dear Madam,

Update on investigations into the electoral malpractice at the December 2018 referenda 

We write to inquire about the fulfillment of a promise made by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission on 28" December, 2018 to thoroughly investigate all allegations of electoral malpractices leveled by various stakeholders including the NDC against the conduct of the staff and agents of the Electoral Commission which in their opinion affected the integrity of the referenda.

You will recall that there was public uproar when videos of electoral officers thumb-printing ballot papers and stuffing ballot boxes emerged on various social media platforms, some of which were confirmed by reports of various election observer groups including the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), The commission reacted by promising swift and thorough investigations into all these allegations in order to take corrective actions to forestall their recurrence in future elections.

This promise, you will recall, accompanied the official declaration of the results of the referenda by the chairperson of the Electoral Commission on December 28, 2018, in the full glare of the press and the general public.

The National Democratic Congress in a press conference held on January 3, 2019 strongly endorsed the urgent need for the promised investigations into the malpractices.

Owing to the enormous importance attached to the need for a free, fair, transparent and credible elections, and in the spirit of accountability, we write to request for information on the status of the investigations into the electoral malpractices that characterized the referenda, and the outcomes and/or recommendations that were made from the investigations.

We hold the view that the impact of what transpired at the December referenda on the successful conduct of 2020 elections cannot be underestimated. Hence, the pressing need to find the causes, the culprits and the concrete actions by the commission aimed at finding a credible lasting solution to the identified challenge to prevent their reoccurrence in future elections.

We shall be counting on your cooperation. Please accept our sincere regards.

Yours sincerely,

Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketia.