The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Ashanti Regional Electoral Commission (EC) Director of undermining electoral procedures by preventing the party from sealing ballot boxes during the special voting exercise on Monday.

Dr. Rashid Tanko-Computer, the NDC’s Deputy Director of Elections and IT, described the incident as a significant violation of electoral laws and a threat to Ghana’s democracy. 

“The special voting wasn’t rosy,” Dr. Tanko-Computer stated.

“If not for our restraint, the situation could have escalated.”

Dr. Tanko-Computer recounted events leading to the special voting, alleging that the Ashanti Regional EC Director explicitly instructed district officers to block the NDC from placing seals on ballot boxes.

Traditionally, political parties are allowed to place seals on the ballot boxes alongside the EC’s, a practice intended to enhance transparency.

“When I confronted him, he asked if we would seal all 400 ballot boxes, and I told him, ‘If you bring 1 million boxes, we’ll seal them all—that’s what the law requires,’” Dr. Tanko-Computer asserted.

He said senior EC officials, including Mr. Tettey and Dr. Bossman Asare, intervened to reverse the directive, but by then, some districts had already acted on the Regional Director’s orders.

Dr. Tanko-Computer further accused the EC official of violating CI 127, the regulation governing elections, by instructing officers not to share the validation stamp number with party agents.

“The CI is very clear,” he explained. “Part B of the pink sheet requires the validation stamp number to be recorded.

This ensures any foreign materials can be identified during sorting.

Yet, the Regional Director ordered that this information not be shared with our agents.”

Dr. Tanko-Computer warned that such actions could jeopardize Ghana’s electoral integrity and peace.

“This Regional Director is a threat to the peace accord we signed.

Who is giving him these unauthorized powers?” he questioned.

Mr Evans Nimako, the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s Director of Research and Elections, dismissed the NDC’s concerns as exaggerated.

“Sealing ballot boxes happens at multiple levels—from Accra to regional and district offices.

If their agents missed one step, they can rectify it elsewhere,” Nimako said.

He accused the NDC of creating unnecessary tension and criticized Dr. Tanko-Computer for escalating minor issues.

“The NDC thrives on drama.

Simple matters that are resolved at IPAC, they blow out of proportion as if the heavens must fall,” Mr. Nimako added.

They both spoke during an interview on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday.