NDC 'uncovers' alleged plot by NPP, EC to plant 'unqualified candidate' into Assin North by-election

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised alarm over an alleged plot by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), and the Electoral Commission to insert the name of an unqualified candidate into the party's voters' register.

The purpose of this alleged illicit move is purportedly to enable Charles Opoku to participate in the NPP Parliamentary primaries for the upcoming Assin North by-election.

According to Sammy Gyamfi, this action directly violates the nomination form requirement for the Assin North by-election, which explicitly states that a candidate must be a registered voter in the Assin North Constituency. However, Charles Opoku, according to Sammy Gyamfi, is not a registered voter in Assin North.

"Under Regulation 22 of the Public Elections Regulations 2020 (C.I 127), voter transfer can only be conducted for an ordinary citizen at least 42 days before a public election. Moreover, transfer applications must be submitted to the Returning Officer responsible for the election. As the by-election in Assin North is less than 42 days away and a Returning Officer has yet to be appointed, any attempt to transfer voters into Assin North would be deemed unlawful and vehemently opposed by the NDC.

"We are fully aware of this unlawful plot orchestrated by the NPP and the Electoral Commission to manipulate the Assin North Voters Register," stated an NDC spokesperson. "The nomination requirements are crystal clear, and we will not allow any illegal insertion of unqualified candidates into the process. We will take every legitimate step to ensure the Electoral Commission and their NPP collaborators are held accountable."

The NDC emphasized that they are closely monitoring the situation and will remain vigilant in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process. They vowed to take all necessary measures within the confines of the law to prevent the execution of this alleged illegal plot, which undermines the democratic principles and fairness of the by-election.

Below is the statement

PRESS STATEMENT

For ImmediateRelease 4th June, 2023.

NPP AND THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION IN A PLOT TO ILLEGALLY INSERT THE NAME OF AN UNQUALIFIED NPP PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE INTO THE ASSIN NORTH VOTERS’ REGISTER.

The National Democratic Congress has become aware of a plot by the ruling New Patriotic Party, acting in cahoots with their collaborators in the Electoral Commission to transfer and insert the name of one Charles Opoku, into the Voters Register of the Assin North constituency. This illegal move is to aid the said Charles Opoku to contest in the NPP Parliamentary primaries to select a candidate for the upcoming Assin North by-election.

Our unimpeachable sources have revealed that contrary to the clear requirement on the nomination form for the Assin North by-election, which demands that a candidate in the election must be a registered voter in Assin North, the said Charles Opoku is not a registered voter in the Assin North Constituency.

It is instructive to note that according to Regulation 22 of the Public Elections Regulations 2020 (C.I 127), voter transfer can only be effected for an ordinary citizen not less than 42 days to a public election. More importantly, transfer applications can only be made to the Returning Officer of a public election. Given the fact that, se have less than 42 days to the by-election in Assin North, and a Returning Officer is yet to be appointed for same, any transfer of voters to Assin North will be unlawful and same shall be fiercely rejected by the NDC.

We are closely monitoring this situation and shall take every legitimate step to ensure that this illegal plot is not perpetrated by the Electoral Commission and their collaborators in the NPP.

Signed.

SAMMY GYAMFI (National Communication Officer)

YNA/KPE