*EC Disallowing Party Agents to monitor Vote transfer undemocratic–NDC*
The Central Regional Branch of the National Democratic Congress(NDC), has indicated that the Electoral Commission’s (EC) directive not to allow monitoring of the voter transfer exercise by party agents is a blatant violation of the highest law of the land and electoral laws of the country.
The party’s National General Secretary, Fiifi Kwetey has already indicated that the directive from the EC was outrageous and “clearly calculated to aid gerrymandering through illegal voter transfers.
The EC in a memo to its district officers, on Sunday, June 2, directed that party agents must not be allowed access due to violent clashes at some of the transfer centres.
Despite the EC’s assurance to ensure a transparent process, a statement signed by the Central Regional NDC Secretary, Gabriel Nii Kommey Adams indicates that such actions from the stables of EC is undemocratic describing it as” egregious act which undermines the integrity of the electoral process and threatens the very foundation of Ghana’s democracy”
The EC’s decision is a clear breach of Article 47 of the 1992 Constitution which stipulates that ” the EC shall ensure that all Political parties have access to all stages of the electoral process ” part of the statement reads
The party, therefore has instructed all agents at the various district offices of the EC to remain at post and closely monitor the voter transfer exercise.
Read below the full statement
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS
CENTRAL REGION PARTY SECRETARIAT
CAPE COAST
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MONDAY, 3 JUNE 2024.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
CENTRAL REGIONAL BRANCH OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (NDC) CONDEMNS ELECTORAL COMMISSION’S BRAZEN DISREGARD FOR CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATES.
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The Central Regional Branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is outraged by the Electoral Commission’s (EC) blatant violation of the Constitution and electoral laws of Ghana, which seeks to deny party agents access to observe voter transfers across the Country.
This egregious act undermines the integrity of the electoral process and threatens the very foundations of our democracy. The notice was recently by issued through a press release by the Deputy Director of operations of the Electoral Commission of Ghana; The EC’s decision is a clear breach of: – Article 47 of the Constitution (1992), which provides that “the Electoral Commission shall ensure that all political parties have access to all stages of the electoral process” – Regulation 47 of the Public Elections (Regulations) 2024, which requires the Commission to “grant access to party agents to observe the transfer of voters” – Regulation 23 of the Public Elections (Regulations) 2024, which mandates the Commission to “ensure transparency in the electoral process” – Section 27 of the Electoral Commission Act, 1993 (PNDCL 284), which provides that “the Commission shall ensure transparency in the electoral process” Specifically, the EC’s actions violate the following provisions of the Elections Regulations, 2024: – Regulation 47(2), which states that “the Commission shall grant access to party agents to observe the transfer of voters at the polling station” – Regulation 47(3), which requires the Commission to “provide the party agents with a list of voters to be transferred” By denying agents access to observe voter transfers, the EC is in clear violation of these constitutional and legal provisions.
This is not only a violation of our rights as a political party but also a threat to the transparency and credibility of the electoral process.
The NDC will not let this unhealthy and blatant disregard for transparency stand, the party demands immediate reversal of the directive and to press home the need to allow access for our agents to observe voter transfers and a comprehensive audit of the entire process. We will pursue all legal avenues to ensure that the EC complies with the law and prioritizes transparency, accountability, and fairness in this election if the EC insists on denying participation of party agents. By this release, we are urging all NDC agents at the various offices of the Electoral Commission of Ghana in the Central Region to remain at post and also disregard the directive from the Electoral Commission on the subject matter. Agents are again entreated to resist any form of unscrupulous activities by the Electoral officers and their cohorts. Let us remain resolute in our collective strive to ensure transparent, credible, free, and fair elections 2024.
Signed:
Gabriel Nii Kommey Adams
(REGIONAL SECRETARY)
*By Lawrence Odoom*
