EC to undertake vote transfer exercise

The Electoral Commission would undertake a special exercise to transfer the votes of prospective candidates who want to contest the upcoming District Assembly and Unit Committee Election.

According to the EC, the exercise would enable prospective candidates to file their nominations and contest the elections in electoral areas and units other than where they registered as voters.

A statement signed by Mr Amadu Sulley, Deputy Chairman (Operation) said the exercise was in agreement with Regulation 20 (1) (3) (a) of the Public Elections Regulations, 2012 (C.I 75).

The statement said a prospective candidate who wanted to transfer his/her vote for the purpose of contesting the elections should do so not later than Monday, October 13, 2014.

It said all applications for transfer of votes should be made in person to the District Officer of the Commission in the District where the applicant was seeking to contest the election.

The statement further noted that, where the application related to the District Assembly election, the applicant should have resided in the district for an aggregate period of not less than twelve (12) months in the four (4) years preceding the election.

It said where the application related to the Unit Committee election, the applicant must have lived in the particular unit where he/she sought to contest the election for an aggregate period of not less than twelve (12) months in the four (4) years preceding the election.

The statement also the reminded the public that a transfer of vote, once effected, was permanent and should remain the new polling station of the applicant.