Lawyers in Search of Democracy (LINSOD), has call on the Electoral Commission to allow political parties to monitor the ongoing voter transfer exercise across all constituency offices nationwide.
LINSOD emphasized the importance of transparency in the electoral process, highlighting the need for major stakeholders, particularly political parties, to oversee the exercise ahead of the upcoming 2024 general election.
“We, Lawyers in Search of Democracy (LINSOD), feel obligated to once again join the voices of reason to call on the Electoral Commission to, as a matter of urgency, allow the major stakeholders in our electoral process, and particularly, the upcoming 2024 general election, being the political parties, to monitor the ongoing voter transfer exercise in all the constituency offices of the Electoral Commission nationwide.”
In a statement, LINSOD pointed out that there are no legal barriers preventing political party agents from monitoring the voter transfer process. Given the current tense political climate and concerns surrounding the integrity of the Electoral Commission, it has necessitated the need of allowing close monitoring by both political parties and independent election observers.
“For us, since no law, and none of the Electoral Commission’s Constitutional Instruments, bars or prohibits agents of political parties from monitoring the exercise of voter transfers, and cognizant of the current volatile and highly suspicious political environment, with the reputation of even the Electoral Commission itself in question, it is no-brainer that the best means of protecting the integrity of the voter-transfer exercise is to open up the process for close monitoring, not only by the major political parties, but also by independent election watchers.”
According to LINSOD, it has labeled the Electoral Commission’s directive to bar political party agents from monitoring the process, as “ridiculous.” The Commission cited instances of violence at some centers as justification for its directive, a reasoning disputed by LINSOD.
Recent reports in the national media alleging the transportation of voters from various parts of the country to different constituencies for questionable motives have further fueled concerns. The accusations of illegal vote transfers for gerrymandering purposes, particularly between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), have heightened tensions.
“Already, we are aware of the news in the national media that voters are being transported from all parts of the country to other parts, ostensibly, to transfer their votes to different constituencies for ulterior motives － to boost the electoral fortunes of certain parliamentary candidates. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of engaging in the said activities, which are viewed as illegal vote transfers for purposes of gerrymandering. The Flagbearer of the NDC, H.E. John Dramani Mahama complains that the decision of the Commission points to its avowed determination to aid the ruling NPP in stealing the outcome of the 2024 elections. Many independent political commentators have begun to describe the decision of the Commission as outrageous and calling on it to rescind it. In the midst of all of these, the Commission remains adamant, and casting further doubt on its neutrality and fairness in conducting the upcoming general elections in the manner Ghanaians shall have trust and confidence in.”
LINSOD’s call for the Electoral Commission to reconsider its decision comes in light of its commitment to fostering a stronger democracy in Ghana. The organization argued that prohibiting political party monitoring is not the solution to violence at certain district centers, urging reliance on law enforcement to maintain peace and order during the exercise.
LINSOD added, “failure by the Electoral Commission to rescind its directive, would raise suspicions of collusion with the ruling NPP to manipulate the outcome of the 2024 elections.”
Below is a press release from the Lawyers in Search of Democracy (LINSOD):
LINSOD STATMENT ON EC’S DECISION ON VOTER TRANSFER
