We’re not in support of EC’s move to change election date

John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has stated that his party would not support the proposed change in the date for the 2024 elections from December to November.

He made this statement during a Minority caucus meeting in Ho on Saturday, February 10, 2024.

Expressing skepticism about the intentions behind the proposal by the EC, Mahama asserted, “We [NDC] do not believe that this is being proposed in good faith.”

Mr. Mahama pointed out that sudden interest in shifting the election date by the EC is enough evidence of the NPP’s attempt to manipulate the electoral process. He argued that the Commission had not demonstrated readiness to conduct the general elections, citing the District Assembly elections held in December last year.

“All indications point to a resounding victory for the NDC in the 2024 elections and an unmistakable rejection of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government by the people of Ghana upon whom they have heaped very poor governance,” Mr Mahama added.

Further, he said, corruption, maladministration, nepotism, arrogance of power, incompetence, and gleeful waste of state resources by this government are all set to come to an end at the polls later this year, prompting the NPP to look for fraudulent means to twists the elections to favour them.

Addressing the ongoing debate on continuous voter registration proposed by the Electoral Commission, Mahama emphasized the necessity for a transparent process. He demanded a system that allows all political parties and relevant stakeholders to monitor the exercise in real-time to prevent fraud and exploitation.

“Regarding the issue of continuous registration, as canvassed by the Electoral Commission, we demand that the process must necessarily include a system that enables all political parties and relevant stakeholders to possess the capacity to monitor that exercise in real time, to avoid fraud and exploitation to the undue advantage of any party,” the NDC flag bearer insisted.

Mr Mahama commended the Minority in Parliament for living up to expectation by putting in valiant efforts to check the excesses of this government.

“The composition of this eighth Parliament under the Fourth Republic placed you at the centre of history and brought in its wake, a unique responsibility and burden of expectation never witnessed.

“Ghanaians are counting on you to secure them against poor governance and keep this government in check” said Mr Mahama.