Why did EC increase days for Voter Transfer exercise from 2 to 16 days when registration was done for 22? - Suhuyini

Alhassan Suhuyini, the Member of Parliament for Tamale North, has said that there is so much tension in the ongoing Voter Transfer Exercise because of the mistrust some of the stakeholders have in the Electoral Commission of Ghana.

Speaking in a panel discussion on Metro TV’s 'Good Morning Ghana' programme, on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, Suhuyini indicated that the action of the EC is the cause of the mistrust by some of the stakeholders, including his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

He cited the decision by the Electoral Commission to extend the days for the voter transfer exercise, which is supposed to be a simple exercise, from its original two days to 16.

The Tamale North legislator could not comprehend why the EC would hold a mere Voter Transfer Exercise for 16 days when it held the just-ended Limited Voter Registration exercise for only 22 days.

"The mistrust is palpable. It's something that we all feel and see as we prepare for the elections. First of all, when the Electoral Commission proposed their timetable, voter transfer was to take two days. That was the first proposal, voter transfer was for two days.

"I know NPP candidates who protested against the 2-day proposal for voter transfer. And then all of a sudden, from the proposed two days for transfers, it was increased to 16 days. In my view, that is the first point of mistrust because I know NPP candidates that I even engaged who protested against the 2 days," he said.

He added, "This is the first time transfers are going beyond a week. Why do we need that many days for transfers when limited registration was done for 22 days? I can’t understand."

The MP said that his party would continue to send agents to monitor the voter transfer exercise because they have become aware that the ruling NPP has some sinister intentions they want to achieve through with the exercise.

He alleged that because the NPP knows they are losing the pending 2024 general elections, they want to engage in all forms of gerrymandering to win some parliamentary seats and also influence the presidential election.

Background:

The EC ordered its regional directors to prevent political parties from observing the ongoing voter transfer exercise following reports of violence at a number of centres where voter transfer exercises are taking place, including the Kasoa EC office, on Sunday, June 2, 2024.

In a letter to its regional directors, which was shared by Oyerepa TV, the EC ordered its district officers not to allow agents of the various political parties to observe the voter transfer exercise.

"The Commission's attention has been drawn to the violent clashes occurring at some of the District Offices as a result of the transfer of votes exercise.

"Regional Directors are to inform District Officers not to allow agents of political parties to observe the transfer of votes exercise with effect from tomorrow, Monday, June 3, 2024," parts of the letter, dated Sunday, June 2, 2024, read.

The NDC vehemently opposed the move by the EC.

They alleged that the NPP was scheming to illegally send voters to particular constituencies in the voter transfer exercise; adding that the commission, by its action, was knowingly or unknowingly assisting the ruling party.

The NPP, on the other hand, supported the decision of the EC to bar party agents from observing the transfer exercise.

The EC later reversed its decision for political parties to withdraw their agents at the transfer centres.

Watch the MP's remarks in the video below:



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