In a heated response to an incident involving the assault of Richard Jakpa, a ballot printing supervisor for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Omane Boamah, Director of Elections & IT for the party, has called for swift action and accountability. The incident, which occurred at Innolink Printing Company on the night of [date], has sparked outrage among NDC members, who are demanding a thorough investigation.
Jakpa, who was overseeing the printing of ballots, was allegedly attacked by an individual described as a “thug” associated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The assault, according to NDC officials, took place while Jakpa was carrying out his lawful duties. The case has since been reported to the Kaneshie Police Station, and the party expects the NPP suspect to be brought in to provide a statement. The NDC has also demanded that Innolink Printing Company release CCTV footage of the incident to aid in the investigation.
The NDC insists that the Ghana Police Service must ensure that justice is served and that those responsible for the assault are held accountable. “We shall pursue this assault on Richard Jakpa to its logical end,” declared Dr. Boamah, emphasizing the seriousness of the matter.
Concerns Over Ballot Printing Irregularities
The incident comes amid broader concerns about ballot printing issues ahead of the upcoming election. Dr. Boamah highlighted a series of printing problems that have raised questions about the readiness of the Electoral Commission (EC) to conduct a fair and efficient election. He outlined the following issues:
1. Excess Ballot Papers at Innolink: The NDC reminded the public of past allegations involving excess ballot papers found at Innolink Printing Company during the 2020 elections, a matter that has been subject to investigation and continues to cast doubt on the company’s reliability.
2. Printing Failures by YASARKO: The printing company YASARKO, which had been contracted for ballot production, reportedly faced significant difficulties, leading to the cancellation of their contract after the NDC raised concerns.
3. Delays by Checkpoint Printing Company: Checkpoint, another printing firm involved in the electoral process, has allegedly struggled to fulfill its contract, particularly with ballot lots for the Central Region.
4. Serial Number Mistakes by FONSTAT: FONSTAT Printing Company reportedly mishandled the serial numbers for ballots in one of the regions, adding to the list of errors plaguing the election preparations.
5. Machine Breakdowns at Ghana Publishing: Ghana Publishing faced equipment failures on Sunday, October 27, during a crucial night shift, preventing them from completing their assigned printing tasks.
These issues have prompted the NDC to question the competence and readiness of the Electoral Commission. “Is the Electoral Commission really ready for this election?” Dr. Boamah asked, expressing doubts about the EC’s ability to execute the electoral process without further complications.
The NDC has vowed to keep a close watch on the electoral process through its #EAGLEEYES project, emphasizing that they will remain vigilant until their presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, and the party achieve victory. The ongoing concerns and calls for accountability underscore the high stakes and tensions surrounding the upcoming election.
