“The EC must clarify this” – Awal Mohammed on questionable voter’s card transfers
In a recent discussion on Kessben Maakye, hosted by Mr. Speaker, the Electoral Commission (EC) faced intense scrutiny over anomalies discovered in the voter transfer exercise.
These irregularities have raised significant concerns about the integrity of the electoral process, particularly with reports of votes being transferred without the knowledge or presence of the voters themselves.
Mr. Awal Mohammed, a member of the NPP’s communications team, shared a personal experience that sheds light on the issue. He recounted how his wife had her voter registration moved from Winneba to the Ashanti Region.
The process was straightforward and transparent. “When we arrived at the service center, I waited outside while she went in with her card. After completing the process, they printed a new card for her because she had to verify her identity with a facial scan,” Mr Awal Mohammed explained.
However, what troubled him was discovering that, contrary to the process his wife went through, some individuals had their votes transferred without being physically present. “I was really surprised when I found out that someone else could transfer another person’s voter registration without their presence,” he said.
This revelation is alarming because it suggests a breach in the established protocol, where a person’s presence is mandatory for their vote to be transferred.Mr. Awal Mohammed emphasized that this has always been the standard procedure.
Reflecting on his own experience in 2012, he noted, “I remember back in 2012 or so when I transferred my vote. I had to go to the Regional office and be there in person for the process to be completed.”
The current situation, where 38 people reportedly had their votes transferred without their participation, contradicts the new system the EC introduced, which was intended to safeguard against such unauthorized actions.
“Unfortunately, they are claiming that 38 people who scanned their pictures for the process had their transfers rejected,” Mr.Awal Mohammed pointed out, calling on the EC to clarify how such a breach could occur.
The implications of these unauthorized transfers are severe.Mr. Awal Mohammed made his point: “If a person’s vote is transferred without their knowledge, how will they vote when election time comes?
It essentially disenfranchises them.” This potential disenfranchisement not only undermines the affected individuals’ rights but also casts doubt on the credibility of the entire electoral process.
In response to these developments, swift actions have been taken. The person allegedly responsible for some of these unauthorized transfers, Haruna Muniru, has been arrested, and the EC officer for Pusiga has been interdicted while investigations are ongoing.
As the Electoral Commission continues to investigate and address these issues, the integrity of the voting process remains a matter of national concern. Citizens and political stakeholders alike are watching closely to ensure that their democratic rights are upheld and that the electoral process remains free from manipulation and misconduct.
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Story by: Pepertual Anyimadu
