NPP denies giving EC go-ahead to use logo on ballot sheets

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has debunked claims by the Electoral Commission (EC) that the party

According to the party, "The Electoral Commission printed Parliamentary Notices of Polls with different inscriptions in the blue portion of the NPP logo/symbol."

Confusion broke out on Monday at the EC’s office in the Ashanti region following the refusal of the NPP’s regional chairman to accept the parliamentary ballot papers sent to the region.

The ballots for the region arrived in Kumasi Sunday night and the representatives of the various parties gathered to assess them on Monday morning.

But the NPP in a statement said, "At no point did NPP supervisors at the printing houses express satisfaction/approval over the removal of party initials from the Parliamentary Notice of Poll and ballot sheets as is being suggested by the Electoral Commission."

Below is the full statement:

RE: CLARIFICATION: POLITICAL PARTY LOGO ON BALLOT SHEETS.

We refer to the statement issued by the Electoral Commission on the evening of Monday, 14th of November 2016 in an apparent response to concerns expressed by some members of the NPP over the omission of the party’s initials beneath its symbol on the parliamentary ballot sheets and wish to point out the obvious distortions and untruths therein.

See more: Nana Addo's security guard threatened Police with gun - Cephas Arthur

1. The Electoral Commission printed Parliamentary Notices of Polls with different inscriptions in the blue portion of the NPP logo/symbol.

2. Whilst for instance the Notice of Poll in the Asante Akyem North constituency had in the blue portion of the NPP symbol “MOTTO: DEVELOPMENT IN FREEDOM”, another one for Kwadaso had “NPP: DEVELOPMENT IN FREEDOM”. But both had NPP written beneath the symbol and all of these are public and copies can be verified.

3. The NPP supervisors quickly drew the Commission’s attention at the printing houses to correct this anomaly. In doing this correction, the NPP initials beneath the symbol was also removed.

4. We again noticed that and quickly asked for it to be reinstated, only to be informed by the Commission’s supervisors that it was too late for the initials to be included.

5. The Commission further took the position that it had not erred in removing the “NPP” initials placed beneath the symbol since the NPP official logo/symbol had no such initials included in it.

6. It, however, made a surprise turn around in bringing the NPP initials back on the Presidential Notice of Poll and ballot sheets.

7. At no point did NPP supervisors at the printing houses express satisfaction/approval over the removal of party initials from the Parliamentary Notice of Poll and ballot sheets as is being suggested by the Electoral Commission.

We urge party members/supporters and voters in general to remain calm and focused on the Great Elephant symbol. 3y3 Osono.

Election Directorate, NPP.