Put in measures to prevent any rigging in 2024 elections – Political parties told

Political analyst Emmanuel Alex Nti has urged political parties to implement measures to prevent any form of rigging in the forthcoming general elections.

He asserts that although the Electoral Commission (EC) is mandated by law to organize free, fair, and transparent elections; political parties should also adopt strategies to avert electoral misconduct and manipulation.

He referred to footage of alleged count-jumping by some EC officials during the Ejisu by-election, calling for an investigation to ascertain its veracity.

Speaking on 'Nyankonton Mu Nsem' on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he emphasized that political parties must be comprehensively prepared for the upcoming polls to avoid being caught off guard.

"We have witnessed incidents in the past that almost compromised the integrity and credibility of our elections; therefore, the parties must exercise vigilance," he stated.

He further stressed the need for political parties to remain alert to prevent manipulation of electoral processes, which could incite violent incidents similar to those observed during the Ayawaso West Wuogon election.

"I have seen footage where an electoral official was jumping figures. I stand to be corrected, and with the advent of technology, videos can be manipulated; however, if this is indeed true, it is regrettable.

"I urge political parties to stay vigilant. Such tactics are perilous and could undermine the credibility of our elections," he remarked.

He cited the strategy employed by the NPP during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election, which involved physical assaults, and noted its recurrence in 2020.

"If an electoral official can jump figures from 27 to 30, this approach could be replicated across different polling stations, as evidenced during the Ayawaso West Wuogon polls," he warned.

"The political parties must remain vigilant. It's possible that the official simply made an honest error. Hence, the EC should appoint officials who are not only competent and qualified but also possess a fundamental understanding of mathematics. They should hire individuals who are literate and capable of performing basic mathematical computations," he concluded.