EC warns NDC: Sorry, You can’t Fly Your Drones …on Election Day

The Electoral Commission (EC) has warned the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to abort its plan to use drones to monitor the December 7, 2024 national elections.

According to the constitutionally empowered election referee, the NDC flying drones during the election would amount to invading the privacy of voters.

The EC is emphatic that the act would not be allowed, as it would breach the secrecy of the voting process, as well as the security protocols, and that polling stations remain security zones.

The Director of Electoral Services at the EC, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, told JoyNews that the EC has not received official notification from the NDC, regarding the deployment of drones, adding that it would be a challenge on their part to approve such a request.

“Polling stations are security zones, so they will have to apply to the security people for permission to be granted. They will have to apply to the Electoral Commission for permission to be granted.

“But my point is that how comfortable will you feel when you are going to vote at the polling station and there’s a drone hovering around you? How sure are you with respect to the secrecy of the ballot?” Dr. Quaicoe questioned.

“The fact remains that polling stations are security zones. We want to ensure the secrecy of the ballot. So, at the polling station where I am going to make my choice, I want to vote in that secrecy,” he stated.

DRONES

The EC’s comment followed indications by the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NDC, Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore, that the NDC would deploy drones on Election Day to monitor activities in the region.

He was addressing party people in the region, at an event that had the flag bearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama in attendance.

The party’s national chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, was also present, along with other executives.

Ashie Moore clarified that the deployment of drones is part of efforts to secure two million votes for the party in this year’s elections.

Mr. Moore said the aim is to strengthen the NDC’s monitoring systems to prevent potential rigging, adding that preparations are well underway to commence the training of constituency executives on how to use the drones to monitor ground activities.

While giving out that information, he paused and said the National Chairman, Asiedu Nketia, had prompted him to stop divulging the information due to its sensitivity nature and the presence of the media.

He said, “The Greater Accra Region, next week, is going to train constituency executives on how to use drones to monitor what happens in our region. The national chairman said the media is here, so I will pause so the media will not pick it up.”

IPAC

The NDC is leaving no stone unturned in the upcoming polls, which undoubtedly will be crucial one, after the party had lost the two previously held elections.

They do not want to suffer another defeat, which would be historic and leave them in opposition for the third consecutive time, while the NPP sets a record of breaking the eight-year governance cycle.

The party that had boycotted the Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) had returned and expressed satisfaction, after what had been said were fruitful deliberations.

The party stood against the EC’s decision to do away with the guarantor system and the use of indelible ink.

However, after last week’s IPAC meeting, all the stakeholders agreed to maintain the guarantor system and the use of indelible ink for the December 7, 2024 general elections.