We’ve Our Own Ways of Retrieving Serial Numbers of BVRs if EC won’t provide them- Asiedu Nketia Cautions EC

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged the Electoral Commission to choose a peaceful transfer of power on December 7 and has warned them not to act as a vehicle for the New Patriotic Party to carry out its “breaking the eight” slogan.

The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, noted in a radio interview with Kwame Nkrumah Tikese on Okay FM’s “Ade Akye Abia” morning program that the ruling NPP’s loud silence and support over concerns raised about the Electoral Commission’s BVRs and BVDs machines are concerning. He added that it seems the EC is working hard to allow the NPP to “break the 8,” as has been their goal.

The Chairman expressed that the EC’s reluctance to provide the party with the BVRs’ serial numbers suggests that the commission, which is meant to be impartial, is withholding information from the people of Ghana.

Because of the risks involved in releasing the serial numbers, the Electoral Commission declined the National Democratic Congress’ request for the numbers of the BVRs used in the current limited voter registration exercise.

In a letter dated May 9, the Electoral Commission said that if the serial numbers were in the hands of unauthorized individuals, it might seriously jeopardize the electoral process’s integrity.

Asiedu Nketia in reacting to the statement from the Electoral Commission said, “All we are asking of the Electoral Commission is to provide us with the serial numbers of the BVRs used in the ongoing limited registration exercise so we can document them in our records for future reference should the uncertainties creep in.”

“We in the NDC have realised that some decisions the electoral commission is taking is questionable and needs to be addressed instead of keeping quiet over it.”

Asiedu Nketia went on to say that while the party has agents at the various registration centers, serial numbers are equally important in order to accurately analyze the number of participants in the ongoing limited voter registration, particularly in light of the EC’s claims that some of its BVRs and BVDs have been stolen.

According to Johnson Asiedu Nketia the Electoral Commission (EC) may be aiding President Akufo-Addo in his purported resistance to handing over power to their flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama.

“We do not expect the Electoral Commission to act as the conduit through which Akufo-Addo will implement his avowed determination not to hand over power to the visionary, experienced, and trustworthy John Dramani Mahama,” he said.

The National Chairman threatened to use all available methods to obtain the BVR serial numbers from the EC if it refused to deliver them.

“If the EC refuses to provide us with the serial numbers, we in the NDC have our ways of retrieving the serial numbers. We wish to serve notice and notice is hereby served that NDC registration agents across the country will resist the EC’s clandestine attempts aimed at diminishing transparency in the voter registration exercise.

“Let me emphasize that our agents must activate the party’s super hi-tech application systems to transmit all serial numbers of BVR kits in their districts and electoral areas to the National Elections and IT Directorate of the party, with or without the approval of the EC,” he said.