The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised serious allegations against the Electoral Commission (EC) regarding widespread discrepancies in the 2024 voter register, and the discovery of a strange polling station in Asuogyaman.
At a press conference on Monday, September 16, 2024, addressed by the Regional Secretary Baba Jamal Konneh, in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional Secretariat of the NDC accused the EC of deliberately manipulating the register, with claims of illegal voter transfers and proxy voting irregularities in several constituencies.
The party warned that the alleged discrepancies could undermine the credibility of the upcoming December 7, 2024, general elections and called for immediate action, including a forensic audit of the register.
The NDC presented a detailed analysis of voter transfer data, pointing to significant discrepancies between the official EC voter transfer records and the figures discovered during their independent review.
According to the NDC, in Achiase Constituency, the EC recorded 453 voter transfers at the end of the transfer period. However, the NDC discovered 1,520 transfers in the EC’s final voter register.
“This means 1,067 voter transfers have been illegally added to the Achiase voter register,” the party claimed.
In Lower Manya Krobo Constituency, 978 transfers were officially recorded, but the NDC found 2,359 transfers in the final register, indicating an illegal addition of 1,381 voters.
In Yilo Krobo Constituency, 1,419 voter transfers were recorded by the EC, yet the NDC discovered 2,285 transfers in the register, suggesting that 866 voters were illegally transferred.
Nkawkaw Constituency saw 838 transfers recorded by the EC, but the NDC found 2,120 transfers in the final register, indicating an illegal addition of 1,282 voters.
In Ofoase-Ayeribi, 337 voter transfers were recorded, but the NDC discovered 588, revealing that 251 transfers had been illegally added to the register.
Nsawam-Adoagyiri showed the most glaring discrepancy. The EC recorded 2,000 transfers, yet the NDC’s findings showed 4,661 transfers, meaning 2,661 voters had been illegally added.
“These discrepancies are not errors; they are deliberate manipulations by the Jean Mensah–Bossman Asare-led EC in collaboration with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rig the 2024 general elections,” the spokesperson alleged. “We know the NPP’s ‘It Is Possible’ mantra is based on the belief that the EC will tilt the elections in their favor, but we will protect the people’s votes.”
Proxy Voting and Absentee List Manipulations
The NDC also pointed out some troubling issues regarding the EC’s handling of the special voters and absentee lists in some constituencies.
In Lower Manya Krobo, the special voters list has 642 names, but the absentee list contains 3,860 names.
“This means 3,218 voters have been illegally transferred from the Lower Manya Krobo register without their knowledge,” the NDC stated.
In Nkawkaw, there are 590 voters on the special voters list, but 2,830 names on the absentee list. The NDC claimed that 2,240 voters were moved from the constituency’s voter roll.
Nsawam-Adoagyiri also showed major discrepancies, with 1,126 voters on the special voters list but 3,952 on the absentee list, leading to an illegal transfer of 2,826 voters.
“The wicked aspect of this manipulation is that these absentee voters will be frustrated on election day, unable to vote as they won’t find their names at their polling stations,” the NDC warned.
Other Concerns: Voter Register Shortfalls and Proxy Voting
The NDC also raised concerns about a shortfall of registered voters in the Upper Manya Krobo Constituency, where the final EC voter register showed 42,303 voters, a reduction of 793 from the expected figure of 43,096.
In addition, the NDC flagged irregularities in the proxy voting list for Achiase Constituency, where voters were reportedly included in the proxy list without applying for proxy voting.
“At polling station E180101 (Health Center) in Achiase, we discovered names of voters who never applied for proxy voting, yet they were listed. This is unacceptable,” the Jamal Konneh said
A Call for Forensic Audit and Nationwide Action
Based on these alleged irregularities, the NDC is demanding a forensic audit of the voter register before the final version is printed for the December elections. “We demand a forensic audit to ensure a clean register for free, fair, and transparent elections. The EC must publish a clear timeline for correcting these discrepancies to avoid chaos moving forward,” the party declared.
To press home their demands, the NDC says its announced ademonstration on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, will come off as expected starting from Koforidua Prisons Park.
The protest will move through key areas of the city and culminate in the presentation of a petition to the Regional Office of the Electoral Commission.
“We urge Ghanaians to rally behind us as we fight to redeem the image of our democracy and ensure everyone’s vote is properly counted,” the NDC leadership said, adding that the Ghana Police had been duly notified to provide security for the demonstration.
Appeal to various groups
The NDC concluded by calling on civil society, religious groups, the media, and international observers to support their cause. “This struggle transcends party politics. We demand nothing less than a transparent, credible, and fair electoral process, and we will not rest until justice is served,” the NDC vowed.
Sources:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
