The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Electoral Commission (EC) of engaging in widespread voter register manipulation, specifically citing the illegal transfer of thousands of voters into and out of constituencies in the Eastern Region.
At a press conference in Koforidua on Monday, September 16, 2024, the party raised concerns over illegal voter transfers, discrepancies in proxy voting, and irregularities in the absentee voter list.
Jamal Konneh, the Eastern Regional Secretary of the NDC, claimed the EC is in collaboration with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rig the upcoming December 7, 2024, general elections.
“We called you here this morning to expose the ineptitude of the Electoral Commission and their agenda to plunge this region into chaos on election day,” Konneh stated. He emphasized that the alleged discrepancies threatened the credibility of the election, urging for immediate action.
Irregularities Uncovered
The NDC detailed specific examples from constituencies where they claim voter transfer figures were altered.
In Achiase, 453 voter transfers were officially recorded, but the register shows 1,520 transfers, suggesting an additional 1,067 illegal transfers.
Similarly, in Lower Manya Krobo, the NDC discovered 2,359 voter transfers, while the original number was 978—indicating an illegal addition of 1,381 voters.
In Yilo Krobo, 1,419 transfers were recorded, but the register lists 2,285 voters, with 866 alleged illegal transfers.
Nkawkaw Constituency saw a spike from 838 transfers to 2,120, with 1,282 illegal transfers.
Nsawam-Adoagyiri recorded 2,000 official transfers, but the register now lists 4,661, leaving an excess of 2,661 illegal transfers, according to the NDC.
Special and Absentee Voter List Discrepancies
The NDC also raised concerns over the absentee voter list, which they claim includes voters who were illegally transferred without their knowledge.
In Lower Manya Krobo, 642 voters were on the special voter list, but the absentee list shows 3,860 names—an illegal transfer of 3,218 voters.
Nkawkaw and Nsawam-Adoagyiri also showed similar discrepancies, with 2,240 and 2,826 illegal absentee transfers, respectively.
“The wicked aspect of it is that these voters will be frustrated on election day when they cannot find their names in their original polling stations,” Konneh remarked, highlighting the potential confusion and disenfranchisement.
A polling Station with a Single Voter
Additionally, the NDC cited an unusual polling station in Asuogyaman Constituency with only one registered voter, which they believe reflects the flaws in the EC’s management of the voter register
“there is a Polling Station in Asuogyaman Constituency with a code E011303 by name international school Akosombo has only one voter captured in the voter register” .NDC alleges
Proxy Voting Issues
The NDC also claimed that in Achiase, several voters were captured on the proxy list without applying for it, including individuals like Abban Yaa and Abankwa Michael Agyei. The party described this as a deliberate attempt to manipulate the outcome in favor of the ruling NPP.
Additionally, the NDC cited an unusual polling station in Asuogyaman Constituency with only one registered voter, which they believe reflects the flaws in the EC’s management of the voter register.
Demands and Demonstration Plans
The NDC is demanding a forensic audit of the voter register and a clear timeline from the EC to address the irregularities before the final register is printed. “We will not rest until justice is served,” Konneh stressed, calling on Ghanaians, civil society, religious organizations, and the international community to support their call for a free and fair election.
The Eastern Regional Chairman of NDC Dr. Mark Oliver Kevor said the NDC is ready to amplify its concerns with a massive demonstration on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.
He said the march will begin at 6:00 AM from Koforidua Prisons Park and pass through key locations such as ‘B’ Foster Traffic Light, the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly, and Agartha Market, culminating at the Eastern Regional Office of the Electoral Commission. The party plans to present a petition to the EC’s Regional Director.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
