Kwame Adofo, a constitutional lawyer, has cast doubt on the effectiveness of the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) planned nationwide demonstration scheduled for September 17, 2024.
The protest, aimed at addressing concerns about the accuracy and integrity of the voter register for the upcoming general elections, is being questioned by Adofo, who argues that the party has not fully explored the legal avenues available to them.
Speaking on ABC’s In the Morning show, Adofo remarked that while the NDC has the right to protest, their efforts will not yield the desired results.
Adofo based his argument on the provisions of the Electoral Commission’s (EC) Constitutional Instrument 91, Regulation 26 (7), noting that political parties cannot demand the EC act based on what pleases them.
“A party cannot demand the EC to do things that make them happy. All they can do is to demand that the EC go by the law,” he said.
According to Adofo, the NDC has not exhausted the legal procedures necessary to address their concerns with the voter register, rendering the demonstration ineffective.
The NDC’s concerns stem from irregularities they claim were identified during the recent voter exhibition exercise, which they argue could jeopardize the fairness of the 2024 elections.
Despite meeting with the EC and requesting a forensic audit of the voter register, their request was denied. The party, however, remains steadfast in its decision to protest, with Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah stating that the protest will occur in all 16 regional capitals, with the national executives presenting a petition at the EC’s headquarters in Accra.
Adofo, however, maintains that the demonstration is unnecessary, given the legal frameworks still available to the NDC. “You can clearly see that the NDC has not exhausted all processes they are entitled to, and therefore it is not necessary for them to go on this demonstration,” he explained.
He emphasized that while the party has a right to protest, the ultimate outcome will not change if they do not pursue the legal channels required by law.
In his closing remarks, Adofo reiterated that the NDC’s protest would not achieve its desired outcome.
“This demonstration is not necessary because their legal avenue is clearly set out,” he said, adding, “In terms of any achievement at the end of this demonstration, the answer is no, they will not achieve anything.”
