The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised serious concerns over the alleged unjust arrest and detention of its Upper West Akyem Constituency Secretary by the Adeiso Police Command during the ongoing proxy and voter transfer exercise at the Adeiso District office of the Electoral Commission (EC).
According to a press release issued by Lawyer Isaac Minta Larbi, Director of Legal and Chairman of the Eastern Legal Team of the NDC, the incident occurred on May 31, 2024.
The Constituency Secretary was detained for several hours, and NDC agents were expelled from the EC office on the grounds that no party agents were allowed during the exercise.
Larbi contested this action, stating, “The police officer intimated to me that the guidelines supplied to the police state that no agents are required to be present during the proxy and voter transfer exercise. However, we are aware that at the last IPAC meeting, a decision was taken by all stakeholders that agents of the political parties are required to be present during the ongoing exercise.”
He further noted a discrepancy in the enforcement of these guidelines, pointing out that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has its agents present at EC offices nationwide.
“In the lead-up to the December 7 elections, we do not want a situation where one set of guidelines is given to one group of people and another set to a different group. This would certainly create unnecessary tensions and a possible breach of the peace,” Larbi added.
Lawyer Larbi emphasized the need for uniformity in the application of rules to ensure a fair electoral process.
“We call on the EC to ensure that the same set of rules is made available to all stakeholders, including political parties, to avoid confusion. If indeed it is true that the guidelines given to the police state that party agents are not allowed, that would be completely unacceptable,” he said.
The NDC’s legal head also urged the EC to prevent any recurrence of such incidents, stressing the importance of maintaining peace in the region and ensuring free and fair elections.
“The arrest of our Constituency Secretary and the sacking of our agents were totally unnecessary and should not be repeated,” Larbi concluded.
The Electoral Commission (EC) on Thursday May 30,2024 after the voter registration exercise commenced procedures for transferring votes, applying for proxy voting, and replacing lost or damaged voter ID cards.
According to the EC, the period for transferring votes and submitting proxy voting applications will run until June 14, 2024.
This timeline provides a window for voters who need to update their voting details ahead of the upcoming elections.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, May 28, the EC advised all voters wishing to replace their missing voter ID cards to make a payment for the replacement using the shortcode *2221067#.
The EC also highlighted that individuals who have recently registered are not eligible to transfer their votes or apply for proxy voting.
This restriction is in accordance with Clause 91 of the electoral regulations.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah
