The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has justified its calls for an emergency meeting to address some concerns with the Electoral Commission (EC).
The party through a statement raised concerns over some five missing laptops and the shortage of Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs), including the EC’s inability to call for an IPAC meeting at the end of March, contrary to the EC's schedules.
Speaking to Evans Mensah on Newsnight, NDC's Deputy General Secretary, Mustapha Gbande said, the issues must be addressed immediately, to avert any threat to the 2024 general election.
"For an important matter such as issues concerning inventory and stock of BVD machines, there is a need for us to meet as stakeholders and discuss.
"Because when five machines of the Commission or more are missing and are in the hands of wrong people it has everything to do with the credibility, transparency, and the fairness of both registration and elections to be conducted by the Electoral Commission using similar machines," he stressed.
This comes days after the Director of Elections and IT for the NDC, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to authorise an investigation into the reported theft of Biometric Voters Registration (BVR) kits.
Dr. Omane Boamah emphasised that conducting a probe into the alleged theft would enhance trust in the Commission ahead of the 2024 general elections.
"We must all work to achieve a free, fair and transparent election," he added.
But the Electoral Commission (EC) denied the request, adding that the laptops stolen from its stores do not possess the capability to affect the integrity or outcome of elections.
The EC confirmed in a statement on Friday that five laptops were stolen from its stores, and debunked reports purporting that some biometric verification devices (BVR) had been stolen.
The Commission explained that an internal memo titled: “RETURN OF BIOMETRIC VERIFICATION DEVICES” was intended for internal asset reconciliation, adding that the Commission placed high value on all of its assets.
“The memo in question, widely shared on social media, was a routine communication aimed at ensuring the accountability and return of all electoral equipment, including BVDs, to the Commission’s custody.
“This procedure underscores our rigorous asset management system, designed to maintain a transparent and accountable inventory of all Commission assets,” the statement signed by Mr Michael Boadu, Acting Head of Public Affairs, EC, said.
The EC said BVDs were designed with sophisticated security features such that without the proper activation and official use within the electoral framework, the devices were inoperative.
“The integrity of our elections, therefore, remains unassailable,” it said.
“We want to assure the public that any equipment, if ever misplaced and even in cases of vandalism, cannot be utilised to undermine the credibility of our electoral process due to the advanced security protocols and activation requirements in place,” the Commission added.
However, the opposition NDC insists an emergency Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting must be held to address concerns over the reported 'disappearance' of Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs) and other related issues.
Credit: myjoyonline.com