Omane Boamah Warns Those Involved in Re-Collation to Face Full Legal Consequences After January 7

Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has issued a strong warning that individuals involved in what he has called “illegal” parliamentary re-collation processes will face the full consequences of the law after January 7, 2025. This statement, made in a social media post on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, came in response to the Electoral Commission (EC)’s efforts to re-collate, recount, or re-declare parliamentary election results in certain constituencies.

According to Dr. Boamah, the actions of the EC are unlawful and part of a broader effort to undermine the democratic will of the people of Ghana. He claimed that the EC’s attempt to alter the election results by re-collating them, especially in constituencies like Dome Kwabenya, Okaikwei Central, Ablekuma North, and Tema Central, is a deliberate attempt to distort the electoral outcome. These efforts, he argues, are not only illegal but also threaten the integrity of the elections.

Dr. Boamah further accused the EC of engaging in criminal activities by mishandling essential election materials, particularly the pink sheets. He pointed out that the EC had failed to cross out and cancel unused pink sheets as he had previously requested. Dr. Boamah suggested that this failure led to the circulation of loose pink sheets, which are now being used to facilitate the illegal re-collation and re-declaration of results. He specifically linked the actions of the EC to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which he claimed had been pushing for these illegal processes.

In his post, Dr. Boamah emphasized that the NDC is resolute in protecting the will of the voters, adding that any criminal actors involved in the re-collation process would face the full legal repercussions once the deadline of January 7, 2025, passes. “Every criminal actor in this process will face the full rigor of the law after January 7,” he declared. Dr. Boamah also reiterated the NDC’s firm stance that the will of the people as expressed in the December 7 elections must be respected. He emphasized that the NDC had received an overwhelming endorsement from Ghanaians, which must not be undermined by illegal practices.

Furthermore, Dr. Boamah criticized the EC for what he described as a breach of public trust during the electoral process. He highlighted instances where the Commission had failed to adhere to its own promises, such as the agreement not to use pen markers as indelible ink. Dr. Boamah pointed out that, despite this promise, pen markers were still used in some polling stations, leading to confusion and undermining the credibility of the election.

The NDC, according to Dr. Boamah, has already taken legal action to challenge the EC’s decision to re-collate the results in certain constituencies. The party has filed a lawsuit in an effort to stop the re-collation process, which it argues is a violation of the law. This legal move is part of the NDC’s broader effort to ensure that the election results accurately reflect the true will of the people and that the electoral process remains fair and transparent.

Dr. Boamah’s statement further underscored the NDC’s determination to hold those responsible for any irregularities during the election process accountable. He called on all stakeholders involved in the election process, including political parties, the EC, and security agencies, to act in the best interest of democracy and the peace of the country. He urged the EC to cease its actions and respect the results of the December 7 elections, which, according to the NDC, clearly indicated the people’s desire for change.

Dr. Omane Boamah’s comments reflect the NDC’s commitment to ensuring that the results of the December 7 elections are upheld and that any actions that threaten the integrity of the democratic process are swiftly addressed. The party’s legal challenge and vocal criticism of the EC’s actions signal its resolve to ensure that the will of the voters is respected and that the electoral process is transparent and free from manipulation.