NDC gives EC a 7-day ultimatum to rescind decision not to use indelible ink 

National Democratic Congress (NDC ) Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, has issued a stern ultimatum, giving the EC (Electoral Commission) seven days to reverse its decision not to use the indelible ink during elections.

Mr Dafeamekpor, in a letter dated January 9, described the directive as unlawful.

“By this letter, therefore, I demand that, within 7 days, upon receipt of same, you withdraw the said administrative directive unlawfully revoking the statutory use of the indelible ink as part of our electoral authentication process as it undoubtedly amounts to a unilateral repeal of Regulation 33, sub-regulation 2, Paragraph (c) of Constitutional Instrument 127, 2020 without any recourse to Parliament, the only Constitutionally mandated organ of state with power so to do,” Mr Dafeamekpor wrote.

The NDC legislator explained that if the said derective of the Commission, “ is allowed, it will be tantamount to a sinful usurpation of the legislative powers of the Parliament of Ghana.”

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It is worth noting that Mrs. Mensa declared the discontinuation of indelible ink usage in district-level elections and all subsequent polls.

The Commission explained that the decision is a step towards improving the electoral process and implementing a more robust identification system.

Mad. Jean Mensah, at a media briefing on Monday, December 18, explained that the biometric identification system flags anyone who attempts multiple registrations; hence, anyone verified after voting cannot vote again.

“The issue of indelible ink, the question is when we were not doing biometric, we were basically using your face, your card. We look at your face and we say this picture looks like you. Biometric technology makes it difficult for a person who has been verified and cast their vote to come a second time.

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“So, there is no need for indelible ink. Once you have been verified, it goes into the system and you cannot come back a second time,” she said.

However, Mr Dafeamekpor cautioned thus, “Be assured that if you fail to heed to this request, I shall employ every other lawful remediable steps available to me without any further recourse to you including, but not limited to, the invocation of the penal sanctions contained in Regulation 45 of CI 127 against you and your staff(s).”