Allegations from NDC Regarding Electoral Commission Recruitment show desperation – Prosper Sarpaku
Prosper Sarpaku, Communications Officer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Juaboso Constituency, has responded to allegations made by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) concerning the Electoral Commission’s engagement of NPP executives in polling agent roles. During a broadcast on the Kessben Maakye Show, Sarpaku contended that the allegations are symptomatic of the NDC’s trepidation regarding an impending electoral defeat.
Sarpaku asserted that the NDC’s press conference lacked substantive grounds, arguing that the recruitment process by the Electoral Commission complies with established legal frameworks. He clarified that, apart from explicit declarations of party affiliation or identification as party executives, there are no other criteria that can be employed to categorically define an individual as partisan.
He further explained that the regulation mandates the Electoral Commission to ensure transparency by publicly exhibiting the profiles of engaged personnel. Concerns about the list of recruited officers can be addressed through legitimate channels, such as objections or petitions, without inciting needless controversy—a course of action Sarpaku suggested the NDC could have pursued.
Moreover, Sarpaku refuted allegations that NPP had systematically designated its executives as polling agents throughout the Juaboso Constituency. He emphasized the NPP’s position on valuing its executives primarily as party operatives at polling venues during elections, denying allegations of their roles as electoral officers.
Sarpaku disclosed that the NPP had submitted a proposal to the Electoral Commission advocating for a review of the polling agent roster based on recently published information.
This discourse follows a press conference held by Alexander Adu Quist of the NDC, who accused the NPP of colluding with the Electoral Commission to install party executives in polling agent positions to manipulate electoral outcomes in Juaboso. Adu Quist claimed that the NDC’s internal investigations uncovered instances of individuals who are actively involved in partisan politics listed as polling agents for the December 7 elections, in contravention of established regulatory guidelines that disqualify such participation.
Adu Quist asserted that he had compiled 70 pieces of evidence supporting his claims, which included a leaked document revealing the original applicant list for polling agent positions. He alleged that individuals appearing on the revised list had denied submitting applications for these roles.
Labeling this situation as a conspiracy, he urged citizens to remain vigilant and conduct thorough due diligence on polling agents to ascertain that they do not possess any political affiliations.
Additionally, Adu Quist expressed concerns regarding the Electoral Commission’s recent decision to reassign District Electoral Officers to different districts merely one month prior to the elections, labeling this maneuver as potentially detrimental to the coherent management of electoral processes.
He concluded by affirming that the NDC would not remain passive in the face of these issues within the Juaboso Constituency, committing to take all necessary measures to uphold electoral integrity and urging Ghanaians to advocate for both peace and justice in the electoral context.
Story by: Juliet Ayiih
