The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) says the Electoral Commission's (EC) directive to withdraw political party agents from monitoring the ongoing votes transfer exercise was a step in the right direction.
According to the National Coordinator of CODEO, Albert Arhin, the law does not permit political parties to be present during vote transfers.
However, the EC allowed their presence to ensure transparency. He added that if this privilege is being abused, it is only right for the EC to withdraw it to maintain peace.
Speaking to JoyNews on June 3, he said “It has never even occurred in this commission before. It is not in the law in the first place. So, I am even wondering why the EC, maybe they were being too magnanimous by allowing them [political parties] to send their people there. It could also be they wanted to be extra transparent but if on the other hand, it is being abused then they are right to withdraw.
“I in the first place wouldn’t even want agents to be around when transfers are being made because the law does not even back it. You can’t defend it anywhere because the law is against [it]. It is not written anywhere that when transfers are being made parties should be represented.”
His comments come in the wake of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) urging its agents to disregard the EC's instruction not to allow political party representatives to monitor the ongoing vote transfer exercise.
The NDC argues that this directive could potentially facilitate gerrymandering through unlawful voter transfers, undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
However, CODEO stated that the party must adhere to the directive because the recent privilege was being abused and has led to some level of violence.
Latest Stories
-
Tapping into Gen Z: How Ghanaian businesses can succeed with the new workforce
19 minutes -
Atwima Mponua Rural Bank increases deposits by 109%
22 minutes -
Yango Group CBO meets Mahama to deepen private partnerships, affirm long-term commitment
31 minutes -
UniBank collapse: Tuah Yeboah slams AG for dropping Duffuor case
34 minutes -
Gov’t will give preference to products manufactured in Ghana – Mahama
40 minutes -
Kenpong Football Academy appoints Sudan U-23 Coach Aleksandar Jović
42 minutes -
KMA cracks down on unapproved transport fares
46 minutes -
AMA to make waste separation at source mandatory under revised sanitation by-laws
48 minutes -
Finance Ministry approves acquisition of over 600 agricultural machines under Big Push – Mahama
50 minutes -
Evacuate our members from conflict zone – GRNMA appeals to gov’t
56 minutes -
We haven’t requested a state burial yet, but… – Daddy Lumba’s family
1 hour -
Shatta Wale’s ‘Mahama Paper’ could inspire people to become presidents – Mystic Twins
1 hour -
Some chiefs are selling lands designated for developmental projects to individuals – Ejisu MCE
1 hour -
God is not your househelp: Africa’s poverty is a result of disobedience and laziness
1 hour -
Minority threatens court action over AG’s decision to drop Duffuor charges
2 hours