EC told to be transparent in voters transfer exercise

Kumasi, Nov. 15, GNA-The Asawase Constituency Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to be vigilant and transparent in the ongoing voters transfer exercise to ensure its success. The Secretariat said being vigilant in the exercise was crucial in checking for instance that no illegal transfers were made to enhance the credibility of the upcoming December elections whilst also avoiding controversy which could spark violence. This was contained in a statement signed by Mr. Joseph Salifu Boare, the Constituency Secretary of the NDC and issued in Kumasi at the weekend.

The statement expressed disappointment that officials of EC had since the commencement of the exercise refused to update agents of the various political parties on daily records of people who have applied for transfer in respect of the Asawase Constituency and that this had given room for suspicion.

It said the development had also heightened tension and speculation by some leaders of the NDC that "a certain political party in collaboration with some EC officials were planning to execute a mass transfer into the constituency with the intention of giving that particular party an undue advantage over the NDC in the upcoming elections having in mind that Asawase was a strong hold of the NDC".

The statement noted that whilst the party had committed itself to operating within the legal framework governing the electoral process it would not sit down for any illegalities to pertain in the constituency and as such would use all constitutional means to debar unqualified voters from transferring their votes to the constituency for whatever reason. Another point of concern the NDC raised is in respect of the inability of the EC to constitute a panel to adjudicate on those who were challenged during the recent voters registration exercise, especially in the Ashanti Region, and stressed that this was a recipe for denying hundreds of those affected of their right to vote if their cases were not dispensed of quickly. "The Review Committee which has been mandated to adjudicate on those challenged has abandoned its work", the statement alleged and called on the committee to be proactive in executing their job to ensure a free, fair and successful election. 15 Nov. 08