EC orders its regional directors to stop political parties from observing voter transfer exercise

The Electoral Commission of Ghana has ordered its regional directors to prevent political parties from observing the ongoing voter transfer exercise.

The order comes after reports of violence at a number of centres where voter transfer exercises are taking place, including the Kasoa EC office.

There, for instance, a son of the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Mavis Hawa Koomson, was reportedly stabbed during an altercation with some members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Sunday, June 2, 2024, over the transfer of voters to the Awutu Senya East Constituency.

In a letter to its regional directors, which was shared by Oyerepa TV, the EC ordered its district officers not to allow agents of the various political parties to observe the voter transfer exercise.

“The Commission’s attention has been drawn to the violent clashes occurring at some of the District Offices as a result of the transfer of votes exercise.

“Regional Directors are to inform District Officers not to allow agents of political parties to observe the transfer of votes exercise with effect from tomorrow, Monday, June 3, 2024,” parts of the letter, dated, Sunday, June 2, 2024, read.

The commission indicated there was no need for the transfer exercise to be monitored because political parties would be given the list of persons who have been transferred upon request.

“Pursuant to Regulation 22 (8) of C.I. 127, Returning Officers are required to give copies of the transferred voters’ list to political parties and candidates upon request. District Officers should ensure that they strictly adhere to this requirement,” the statement added.