Chairperson for the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa
A Political Scientist Abass Mohammed is urging the Electoral Commission to allow agents of political parties to be present in the spirit of transparency.
It follows the two major political parties the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) locking horns over the Electoral Commission’s directive for political parties to withdraw their agents from the ongoing voter transfer centres.
Ahead of the December 7, 2024, general election, the Electoral Commission began the transfer of votes, application for proxy voting, and replacement of lost or damaged voter ID cards on May 30, 2024, and is scheduled to end on June 14, 2024.
Per the Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) governing the elections, the Electoral Commission is not obliged to admit political party agents as observers of the transfer of votes, application for proxy voting, and replacement or lost or damaged voter ID cards.
However, pursuant to Regulation 22 (8) of CI 127, EC returning officers are required to give copies of the transfer of votes list to political parties and candidates upon request.
The EC has issued a directive to its Regional Directors, instructing them to inform district directors that agents of political parties will not be permitted to observe the ongoing transfer of votes
The exercise is intended to facilitate the transfer, proxy, or replacement of voter ID cards at all district EC offices but has caused dissatisfaction among the parties with the latest incident being the stabbing of the son of the Awutu Senya East Member of Parliament Mavis Hawa Koomson, during an altercation at one of the centres.
However, speaking on Starr Today with Joshua Kodjo Mensah, Mohammed noted that the nation can not totally trust public institutions any longer.
“The solution to the issue is trust and transparency. When the processes are fair and just. As a people, we are struggling with trust. As a nation, nobody can state clearly that we have outgrown. We are at a stage where we can not totally trust public servants in this country. I don’t think we’ve gotten there. So it is an issue of trust. The solution to trust is transparency. When the processes are so transparent and see clearly whatever is going on, it addresses the issue of trust.
“So I think that’s the angle from which the opposition party is coming from. What takes away trust when agents are there? All needs and consents should be addressed to avert confusion.”
After a heated IPAC meeting on Monday, the NDC’s Director of Elections and IT Dr. Edward Omane Boamah noted that the party will not withdraw its agents citing allegations of illicit transfers by the NPP.
However, the NPP says in the spirit of peace, they will abide by EC’s directive.
