Audio By Carbonatix
The Coalition of Volta Youths has indicated it will go to court to seek redress following what it says are widespread irregularities in Thursday’s Referendum organized by the Electoral Commission (EC).
Simon Kofi Ohene, Chairman of the Coalition of Volta Youths, who made the intentions of the youths known, says assurances by EC to investigate regularities are not enough.
The EC says it is investigating allegations of vote rigging in the just ended historic Referendum on the creation of six new regions.
The Commission has vowed not to shield any of its staff found culpable and is asking the public to provide any evidence they may have to the police.
It follows the emergence of videos showing some supposed commission staff engaged in ballot stuffing.
Mr Ohene, speaking on Newsnite with Evans Mensah Friday, said “since the beginning of the process, there have been serious infractions and violations which have not been properly addressed.”
“In the actual fact, there were low voter turnouts but look at what the Electoral Commission is putting out as the high turnouts…votes were not counted at the polling stations. Ballots were taken out to wherever they have taken them, to go and count,” a disappointed Coalition of Volta Youths Chairman said.
He alleged that chiefs used local languages to convince their subjects to vote ‘Yes’ and “they were intimidating people even the MCE of the area went around driving off polling agents of the ‘No’ campaigners.”
Asked if he does not trust the EC to do due diligence in investigating the allegations, Mr Ohene said the Commission before the Referendum showed bad faith by even defying a supposed injunction not to proceed with the exercise.
“The Electoral Commission that was served with an injunction not to go ahead with the election and decided to go on, how can I trust such [an] institution,” he said.
According to him, “we are in discussion with our lawyers to see what the way forward will be…I’m disappointed to be a Ghanaian.”
When Evans Mensah pressed further for clarification if they will be going to court, he responded “sure."
"This is the last option as law-abiding people; the last thing you have to do is to go to court.”
Latest Stories
-
IMF optimistic about Ghana’s post-programme outlook, urges sustained fiscal discipline
20 minutes -
DVLA impounds 40 vehicles over fake DP stickers at Tema Harbour
21 minutes -
OSP exists to deliver on corruption fight – Srem-Sai
24 minutes -
The wind brings dust and death; Experts say northern Ghana’s Meningitis crisis is predictable and preventable
28 minutes -
IPMC donates computer labs, Starlink devices, incinerators and solar street lights worth GH¢1.6m to GetFund
34 minutes -
Chinese carmaker patents voice-controlled ‘in-vehicle toilet’
37 minutes -
Asante Kotoko deny ‘AWOL’ claims as coach Owusu ‘duly sought permission’
52 minutes -
AG’s office will grant OSP prosecution authorisation on request — Srem Sai
58 minutes -
AG’s Department had no hand in OSP court case — Deputy AG pushes back on “sabotage” narrative
1 hour -
Adu Kwabena ‘working hard’ to reach Europe’s top five leagues
1 hour -
Mahama fully committed to fighting corruption – Deputy AG
1 hour -
AG’s Department can “look good” without prosecuting corruption that’s why OSP matters, says Deputy AG
1 hour -
Mahama’s gov’t isn’t against OSP – Deputy AG
1 hour -
Ghanaians building alcohol tolerance through excess drinking – Prof Calys-Tagoe
1 hour -
‘World Cup is not a small thing’ – Adu Kwabena targets Black Stars squad place
1 hour