The Director of Electoral Services at the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, has refuted claims that any political party is hindering the EC’s efforts leading up to the 2024 general elections.
In an interview on Yen Nsempa, Onua FM, May 16, Dr. Quaicoe emphasized the Commission’s extensive experience and resilience in managing electoral processes.
“No party is frustrating us. We have been doing this work for a long time,” Dr. Quaicoe asserted.
He underscored the Commission’s independence and commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process despite external pressures.
Dr. Quaicoe explained the frequent press conferences held by the EC before the elections as efforts to educate Ghanaians, rather than a response to threats or frustration.
He clarified that previously, Ghanaians criticized the EC for not addressing political concerns as frequently as desired, leading to the strategy of hosting more conferences to educate the public about the electoral process.
“We are trying to educate Ghanaians. We owe it as a responsibility to educate Ghanaians. We will tell our side of the story, and Ghanaians will take their decisions,” he stated.
The Director further clarified his approach to voting, mentioning that he votes by proxy and does not align with any specific political party.
“I belong to all the political parties, and I vote for any of them based on my choice, but I do not vote personally. I always give proxy to someone else to vote on my behalf,” he disclosed. This, he believes, is a reflection of a growing trend among Ghanaians who prioritize the country’s development over partisan loyalty.
Dr. Quaicoe urged the public to discard the notion that voters strictly adhere to party lines. He noted that many now vote based on candidates’ potential contributions to national development, rather than their party affiliation.
“We should not make it as if people vote along party lines. That is not necessarily true. It only sometimes works like that. Some persons vote for a presidential candidate belonging to a particular party, and when it comes to a parliamentary candidate, they vote for another party. Some people are not stuck to a particular party,” he explained.
As the 2024 elections draw near, he assured that the Commission remains committed to its mandate of facilitating credible and peaceful elections in Ghana.