Officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) in the Ashanti Region have commenced actions to reverse the names of approximately 580 voters from the Manhyia South voter register after a court order was issued. The decision comes in the wake of a legal challenge initiated by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the constituency, which uncovered irregularities during the voter transfer exercise.
The NPP in the Manhyia South Constituency flagged these anomalies and took the matter to court to seek an interpretation of the infractions found in the voter register. The Kumasi Magistrate Court, presided over by Her Worship Deborah Gyaawa Donkor, delivered its verdict on the case on Tuesday, ruling in favor of the NPP’s concerns. The court ordered the Electoral Commission to revert the affected voters to their original constituencies.
The infractions were first noticed during the voter transfer process, with the NPP raising concerns about abnormal transfers of votes to Manhyia South. According to the party, the number of transfers to certain polling stations appeared irregular, prompting further investigation.
Speaking to Citi News, the NPP Manhyia South Constituency Secretary, Alhaji Haruna Alhassan, emphasized the party’s commitment to ensuring that the necessary corrections are made. He revealed that the party would follow up with the EC to ensure that the court’s order is fully implemented.
Alhaji Alhassan also urged other constituencies, particularly those in NPP strongholds, to conduct similar checks on their voter registers to detect any potential irregularities. He suggested that other constituencies might face similar issues, and it would be in their best interest to investigate and seek redress if needed.
“It was during the transfer that we, the NPP in the Manhyia South Constituency, became conscious of certain things related to the transfer of votes to the constituency,” Alhaji Alhassan explained. “We noticed that the transfers to the constituency were not normal to us, but according to the LI (Legislative Instrument), there was nothing we could do at the time.”
The party became particularly concerned after reviewing the exhibition of the voter register. Alhaji Alhassan noted that the NPP identified abnormalities in about five or six polling stations out of the 107 polling stations in the Manhyia South Constituency.
One example he highlighted was the unusual transfer of approximately 150 votes to the St. Louis Training College of Education polling station. According to the NPP, this transfer was out of the ordinary and warranted further scrutiny. The party subsequently took the matter to court, appearing before the Kumasi Magistrate Court five times before the final ruling was delivered.
“Eventually, the court ordered that 580 people who were transferred to Manhyia South during the transfer period should be sent back to where their votes were originally,” Alhaji Alhassan stated. “We are going to follow up on that and make sure that the right thing is done.”
The NPP’s legal action and the subsequent court ruling have brought renewed attention to the voter transfer process and the importance of transparency in maintaining the integrity of the voter register. The party’s insistence on following through with the matter underscores their commitment to ensuring that the electoral process in Manhyia South is fair and accurate.
The voter transfer exercise, which allows voters to change their polling stations, is a critical aspect of the electoral process in Ghana. However, irregularities in the transfer process can undermine the credibility of elections and raise concerns about potential manipulation of voter data. The NPP’s success in this case sets a precedent for other constituencies to scrutinize their voter registers and take corrective measures if necessary.
Alhaji Haruna Alhassan’s call for other NPP stronghold constituencies to cross-check their voter registers reflects the party’s broader strategy to ensure that the upcoming elections are free from discrepancies that could affect the outcome. The ruling by the Kumasi Magistrate Court not only validates the NPP’s concerns but also highlights the role of the judiciary in upholding the integrity of the electoral process.
As the EC moves to reverse the 580 names affected by the court order, the focus will be on ensuring that the corrections are made promptly and accurately. The court’s decision marks a significant step toward addressing the irregularities found in the voter register and restoring confidence in the electoral process in the Manhyia South Constituency.
For the voters affected by the reversal, the court’s ruling means that they will be returned to their original constituencies, where their votes were initially registered. This development ensures that the integrity of the voter register is maintained and that no undue advantages are gained through the voter transfer process.
As Ghana prepares for the December 2024 general elections, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in safeguarding the electoral process. The NPP’s actions in Manhyia South demonstrate the party’s commitment to fairness and transparency, values that are essential for the success of any democratic election.
The EC’s compliance with the court order will be closely watched as the electoral body works to correct the identified infractions and uphold the credibility of the voter register in Manhyia South.
