The Electoral Commission (EC) has instructed its directors not to allow agents of political parties to observe the ongoing vote transfer exercise.
In a memo addressed to the regional directors, the directive takes effect today, June 3, 2024.
According to the EC, this is in response to violent clashes at some district offices due to the exercise.
In one such case, Ato Koomsom, son of Awutu Senya East MP Hawa Koomson, was reportedly stabbed following a confrontation near the EC’s office in Kasoa.
Eyewitnesses reported that the altercation began when supporters of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) clashed over the order of residents in the queue for the ongoing transfer of votes exercise.
“Regional Directors are to inform District Officers not to allow Agents of Political Parties to observe the Transfer of Votes Exercise with effect from, Monday the 3rd of June, 2024.
“Pursuant to Regulation 22 (8) of C.I.127, Returning Officers are required to give copies of the transferred voters list to political parties and candidates upon request. District Officers should ensure that they strictly adhere to this requirement,” the EC said.
READ ALSO: Hawa Koomson’s Son Stabbed During Voter Registration Clash
Meanwhile, the NDC has directed its agents across the country to disregard the EC’s directive.
The General Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, described the directive as disgusting and outrageous.
In a June 3 statement, Mr Kwetey accused the EC of colluding with the NPP to tint the transparency of the process.
He said the EC’s insistence on the directive is a calculated move to aid gerrymandering through illegal voter transfers.
“The National Democratic Congress, therefore, hereby calls on all its agents across the country to defy and disregard this outrageous directive by the Electoral Commission.
“All structures of the party, particularly Regional and Constituency Secretariats, are hereby directed to deploy NDC agents to all district offices of the EC to closely monitor the ongoing voter transfer exercise,” Mr Kwetey said.
Below is the statement by the EC
