External forces influencing EC to rig elections -Tuffuor

Dr. Amoako Tuffuor is alleging that some individuals are plotting to rig the general elections through the special voting exercise hence his resolve to sue the Electoral Commission (EC) at the Supreme Court to order the latter to count and declare the results after polls.

The outspoken member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) says the process will only be credible, free, fair and transparent, if the results are declared after voting on that day.

Dr. Amoako Tuffuor and two others have dragged the Electoral Commission to the Supreme Court seeking an order to compel the commission to announce results of special voting on the same day it is held.

Dr. Tuffuor and the two other plaintiffs in the persons of Benjamin Arthur and Adreba Abrefa Damoa in their writ stated that section 23 of C.I. 94, the law which regulates the conduct of the 2016 general elections, is inconsistent with Article 49 of the 1992 constitution.

Speaking in interview with Kwame Tutu on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm on Frontline, he said, some individuals who are good at rigging elections annually are plotting to rig this year’s election and that would compromise the entire process and in the bid to stop that, they have sued the EC at the Supreme Court to prevent that plot.

He has also appealed to the National Peace Council, the clergy and other well-meaning Ghanaians to add their voice to the matter and ensure that, the EC does the right thing. He also alleged that some individuals are also planning to snatch ballot boxes in the upcoming polls.

He said, there are some influences targeted at the EC forcing them to rig the polls and as a party committed to ensuring a credible polls, they will resist that attempt.

Dr. Amoako Tuffuor also rubbished interpretations that government would intimidate the security agencies should it realize that they voted against it.

The government he noted cannot be angry with the police or military should they vote against them, and in the unlikely event that government intimidates them, there will be an uprising.

The security agencies he stressed, have the right to also exercise their franchise and if you govern the nation well, you will be retained or voted against.

The returning officer per C.I 94 shall at the end of the special voting:

Ensure that the ballot boxes are kept in safe custody after the poll has closed;

Ensure that the ballot boxes are sealed with the seals of the Commission and any candidates who wish to add their seal; and

Arrange for the ballot boxes to be opened at the time of the counting of the votes cast on the polling day and the ballot papers shall be counted in the same manner as those contained in the ballot boxes used on the polling day.

However the plaintiffs are seeking a true and proper interpretation of Article 49 of the constitution “and Section 13 of the Representation of the People Law, 1992; PNDCL 284; the ballots to be cast pursuant to Regulation 23(1),(2),(3)(,(4),(5),(6),(7),(8)(9) and (10) of the Public Elections Regulations, 2016; CI.94 by special voters in the December, 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections ought to be counted and announced there and then on the date(s) of the special voting; by the presiding officers and the results at each polling station; before communicating same to the returning officer.”