The Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Rashid Tanko-Computer, has accused the Ashanti Regional Electoral Commission (EC) Director of breaching electoral laws by preventing the NDC from sealing ballot boxes during the special voting exercise on Monday.
Speaking on PM Express on Joy News, Dr. Tanko-Computer described the incident as a grave threat to the integrity of Ghana’s democratic process, alleging that the EC Director instructed officers to block the NDC from placing their seals on the boxes, a critical step in ensuring election transparency.
“When I confronted him, he questioned if we would seal all 400 boxes, to which I responded that we would seal even a million if required by law. That’s what CI 127 mandates,” he stated.
Despite senior EC officials intervening to reverse the directive, Dr. Tanko-Computer lamented that the damage was already done in some districts.
Additionally, he accused the same official of instructing staff not to disclose validation stamp numbers to party agents, a direct contravention of electoral regulations. “This undermines the security of the voting process and could introduce foreign materials during sorting,” he said.
The NPP’s Director of Research and Elections, Evans Nimako, dismissed the allegations, calling them exaggerated and urging the NDC to resolve such issues through established channels.
“Sealing is done at multiple stages. If they missed one, they should address it without creating tension,” Mr. Nimako said, accusing the NDC of sensationalising minor procedural concerns.
As Ghana heads into the elections, the incident highlights ongoing disputes between parties and the EC over electoral integrity.