The Legal Directorate of the NDC party in the Eastern Region has raised strong objections regarding the recent actions of the police in Adeiso, Upper West Akim Constituency.
On May 31, 2024, the Constituency Secretary of the NDC Samuel Promise Sikayɛna Atitso was arrested and detained by the Police Command at Adeiso during the ongoing proxy and voter transfer exercise at the Adeiso District office of the Electoral Commission (EC).
The Secretary was held for several hours before being released.
Additionally, NDC agents were expelled from the EC office by the same police unit on the grounds that no agents were required or allowed during the proxy and voter transfer exercise. This action was reportedly based on guidelines provided to the police.
However, Lawyer Isaac Minta Larbi, Director of Legal and Chairman of the Eastern Legal Team for the NDC, has disputed this claim.
“The police officer intimated to me that the guidelines supplied to the police state that no agents are required to be present during the proxy and voter transfer exercise. Meanwhile, we are aware that at the last IPAC meeting, a decision was taken by all stakeholders that agents of the political parties are required to be present during the ongoing exercise,” Lawyer Larbi stated.
He pointed out the discrepancy, noting that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has its agents present at EC offices nationwide.
He expressed concern that differing guidelines for different groups could create unnecessary tensions and potential breaches of peace as the December 7 elections approach.
“In the lead-up to the 7th December elections, we do not want a situation where one set of guidelines is given to one group of people and another set of guidelines is given to another group of people. This would certainly create unnecessary tensions and a possible breach of the peace,” Larbi emphasized.
He urged the EC to ensure uniformity in the application of rules to avoid confusion and ensure a fair electoral process. “We want to bring to the attention of the EC that it should always make sure that the same set of rules are made available to all stakeholders, including the political parties, to avoid confusion,” he said.
The NDC called for the prevention of future occurrences, stressing the importance of peace and fairness in the upcoming elections. “The arrest of our Constituency Secretary and the sacking of our agents was totally unnecessary and should not be repeated,” Larbi concluded.
The Electoral Commission (EC) on Thursday May 30,2024 after the voter registration exercise commenced procedures for transferring votes, applying for proxy voting, and replacing lost or damaged voter ID cards.
According to the EC, the period for transferring votes and submitting proxy voting applications will run until June 14, 2024.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
