Anthony Karbo, a senior aide on Dr. Bawumia’s campaign team, has downplayed the National Democratic Congress (NDC) “Enough is Enough” protest over the voter register, describing it as nothing more than a “keep fit” exercise.
Karbo stated that the NDC is fully aware that the Electoral Commission (EC) has established internal mechanisms to address any discrepancies in the voters’ register.
Speaking to the media during a campaign tour in Kpone Katamanso on Tuesday, he emphasised that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) remains focused on delivering its message to the electorate, rather than being distracted by the NDC’s demonstrations.
“We’ve been through that path before it didn’t work for us so why do we go back to it? A forensic audit will always do something monumental. There are no two ways about a forensic audit. We are sitting here the American voters register for elections in November is not a perfect register.
“That which was used in London is not a perfect register. Any forensic audit conducted anywhere in the world will reveal some discrepancies but whether those are significant to change the outcome of an election is left to be known. We don’t need any forensic audit.”
“…Many years back when we were asking, they gave us these responses. Many years on, they are now asking what we were asking in the past and they are getting the same responses. Why should we support that?
“… Well, I think it’s an exercise. It’s an exercise. You know, sometimes in this, our politics, there’s a lot of keep fit exercises. People must get out and show force. I mean, those are all the antics leading to an election and I don’t think that is a very serious enough demonstration,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI), comprising key Civil Society Organisations including the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), has asked the Electoral Commission (EC) to “commit to an independent audit of the final voters’ register once it is completed and in good time.”
This follows the National Democratic Congress (NDC) concerns over discrepancies in the voters’ register.
In a statement issued on Monday, the CFI noted that “As the Civic Forum Initiative, we believe that the impasse between the NDC and the EC can be resolved without confrontation. Instead, it requires sincere and constructive dialogue between all stakeholders involved.”
“We propose that the Electoral Commission commit to an independent audit of the final voters’ register once it is completed and in good time. We urge all stakeholders to prioritize the national interest and to work towards peaceful and credible elections in the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.”
The CFI emphasised its commitment to supporting peaceful and credible election processes and outcomes.
“We stand ready to assist in any way possible to ensure that the nine consecutive presidential and parliamentary elections would strengthen Ghana as the beacon of multiparty democracy in West Africa,” it added.