The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised concerns over alleged illegal voter transfers in the Efutu Constituency and is demanding a thorough audit of the voters register.
The party claimed that the Electoral Commission (EC) has facilitated the transfer of thousands of voters without following proper procedures, which could potentially affect the outcome of upcoming elections.
According to Dr. James Kofi Annan, the NDC’s parliamentary candidate for the Efutu Constituency, the party has detected significant discrepancies in the number of voters transferred into the constituency during an official voter transfer exercise.
He stated that between May 30 and June 14, 2024, the EC oversaw the transfer of 6,218 voters. This was further increased by 846 votes after a special two-day mop-up transfer exercise conducted from July 3 to July 5, 2024, specifically for students and security personnel.
In total, the NDC claims that 7,024 voter transfers were officially recorded by the EC during this period.
However, recent data provided by the EC to the NDC indicates a sharp increase in the number of transferred voters, now totaling 9,897. Dr. Annan highlighted that this figure reflects a bloated increase of 3,009 additional voters, raising suspicions of illegal transfers.
“This unprecedented surge in the number of transferred voters is deeply troubling. There is no clear justification for this increase, and we believe that the Electoral Commission has manipulated the voter register to favor the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).”
Dr. James Kofi Annan, NDC’s Parliamentary Candidate for the Efutu Constituency
One of the NDC’s major concerns centers around the transfer of 126 military officers to the Efutu Constituency.
Dr. Annan expressed skepticism about the legitimacy of these transfers, suggesting that the deployment of military personnel to the constituency may be politically motivated.
Dr. Annan asserted that the NDC suspects the transfers were carried out with “ulterior motives” to influence the electoral outcome in favor of the NPP.
While the presence of security personnel in certain constituencies is common during election periods, the NDC insisted that the sudden influx of military officers to Efutu warrants further scrutiny. The party is calling on the EC to clarify the rationale behind these transfers and ensure that all voter transfers are in compliance with electoral regulations.
Discrepancies in Transfer Justifications
The NDC also claimed that over 70% of the transferred voters have failed to provide valid reasons for their transfer, as required by the EC’s electoral laws.
According to Dr. Annan, many of the voters did not meet the established criteria for transferring their vote, such as relocation for work, education, or security reasons. This has led to growing concerns within the party about the integrity of the voter transfer process.
The party’s Efutu parliamentary candidate pointed out that Efutu, which has a total voter population of 107,000, making it the 12th most populous constituency in the Central Region, now has the highest number of transferred voters.
“It is puzzling that Efutu, with a relatively moderate population, would see such a massive influx of voters. This raises legitimate questions about the motivations behind these transfers.”
Dr. James Kofi Annan, NDC’s Parliamentary Candidate for the Efutu Constituency
In addition to concerns over illegal transfers, Dr. Annan alleged that relatives of deceased individuals had obtained proxy voting rights, allowing them to cast votes on behalf of these deceased voters on election day. He emphasized that this practice is illegal and poses a serious threat to the credibility of the electoral process.
In response to the alleged discrepancies, members of the NDC have formally petitioned the Electoral Commission, giving the body three days to address their concerns.
The party’s Constituency Secretary, Abraham Henry Arthur, emphasized that the NDC will not hesitate to pursue legal action if the EC fails to act swiftly.
“We expect the EC to act in the interest of democracy and transparency. Should they fail to respond to our petition, we will have no option but to seek redress through the courts.”
Abraham Henry Arthur, NDC Efutu Constituency Secretary,
The NDC’s demand for an audit of the voters’ register has drawn attention to the broader issue of voter transfer practices in Ghana’s electoral system.
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