EC denies frustrating vote transfers in Ashanti Region 

The Ashanti Regional Directorate of the Electoral Commission (EC) has refuted allegations by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that the Commission through its District officers is deliberately frustrating some voter transfer applicants in some constituencies in the region. 

At a news conference in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, alleged that some registered voters seeking to transfer their votes to some constituencies in the region have had their ID cards taken from them by EC’s officials when the applicants visited the designated centres. 

They were then told by the EC officials to return for the Cards in a week’s time, while their transfer processes have been deliberately slowed by the EC without any tangible reason. 

The act, the NPP’s Regional Chairman claimed, is a ploy by the EC District officers to deny such applicants the legal opportunity to change their polling stations and constituencies so as to exercise their franchise in the December 7, Presidential and Parliamentary elections. 

Mr. Antwi Boasiako also alleged that victims of the situation are either members or sympathizers of his party who are seeking transfer of their votes to such Constituencies such as Asawase, Ejura-Sekyedumase, Ahafo Ano North and New Edubiase constituencies. 

He called on all peace loving members of the society, especially the National Peace Council, to take proactive steps to address the problem before it degenerates into chaos. 

However in a reaction, the Ashanti Regional Director of the EC, Serebour Quarcoo, debunked the NPP’s allegations.

He later took   our Correspondent to some of the designated centres in Kumasi to verify the transparent processes of the voter transfers.  

Mr. Serebuor noted that the Regional Directorate of the EC, as part of its quest to ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral processes, has been engaging the political parties at every stage of the processes, including the ongoing voter transfer. 

According to the Regional Director of the EC, his officials will not yield to any pressure from any quarters to circumvent the laws regulating operations and activities of the Commission in the conduct of this year’s elections. 

Mr. Quarcoo emphasized that any applicant seeking a transfer of his or her votes must justify with documentary evidence that, indeed, he or she is legally qualified for the privilege offered by the Commission, adding that it behoves the EC to ensure that the opportunity is not abused.

GBC