Illegal Voter Transfers: EC addresses alleged cases in Tamale South and Sagnarigu constituencies

The Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission in charge of Corporate Services, Dr. Bossman Asare, addressed the media on Monday, September 2, 2024, regarding allegations of illegal voter transfers found in the Provisional Voter Register for the upcoming 2024 general elections, particularly in the Pusiga Constituency.

Dr. Asare revealed that some voters in the Tamale South and Sagnarigu constituencies claimed their voter ID cards were collected by one Haruna Muniru under the pretext of processing a loan.

Muniru, who was in police custody last week, is currently on bail as investigations continue.

“Preliminary investigations by the commission have revealed that voter transfers were indeed effected for 38 individuals using the credentials of an electoral commission official.

“The records of those transfers are captured in the voter management systems audit logs. A look at the verification done during the transfer process shows that the photos of the voters from their voter ID cards were used for facial verification and to effect the transfers,” he read.

In response to this incident, Dr Asare said the commission has introduced a "liveness check" in the verification process to ensure biometric data is captured from a live person, not a photograph.

This new feature aims to prevent future occurrences of such fraud.

“The liveliness check has since been built into the system to prevent any such future occurrence.

“The commission is currently investigating. While the commission does not have any evidence to believe that this occurrence is widespread, we have instituted investigations to ascertain if similar incidents occurred elsewhere beyond the reported case in the Tamale South and Sagnarigu constituencies, NSRS transfers will be reversed and the perpetrators of such as shall be dealt with according to the law,” he said.

The EC further assured the public that the commission will not shield any officers found complicit in electoral malpractices.

“Once the investigations are concluded, the commission will take the appropriate action and inform the public accordingly.

“The commission would like to assure the public that it will not shield any of its officers, both permanent and temporary, found complicit in any electoral malpractices and will always allow such persons to face the full rigours of the law,” he added.

Further updates will be provided once investigations are concluded.

Watch his remarks below:

Watch the live stream below:



ID/ ADG