A group known as Concerned Citizens of Ghana in the Diaspora has formally petitioned the European Union (EU) over concerns regarding the actions of the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC), which they claim are contributing to rising tensions in the country.
The group highlighted issues surrounding the EC’s response to objections raised by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) about the Provisional Voter Register, including alleged illegal voter transfers and the EC’s refusal to allow an independent audit of the voter register, as key factors fuelling unrest.
In a statement, the diaspora group also expressed concern over the reluctance of certain political parties to endorse a peace pact ahead of the 2024 general elections.
“We the Concerned Citizens of Ghana in the Diaspora are alarmed by recent developments involving the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) that have raised tensions in the country.
These concerns have been raised by the leading opposition party as well as some leading/founding members of the governing party. We itemise some of the concerns raised below:
“1. Irregularities with the voter’s register with reference to the transfer of voters.
a. The NDC claims that about 15,000 voters have been captured on the EC’s transfer list with no indication as to where they were transferred from.
b. At least one EC official has been cited for conducting illegal transfers, hence, the call for a forensic audit – EC has denied the request for an audit.
“2. Recent post-election violence in the just-ended primaries in the Walewale Constituency.
“3. Missing Biometric Verification Devices (BVD) and calls for an audit.
“4. Refusal of some political parties to sign the National Peace Pact which political parties are encouraged to sign as part of their commitment to ensure peace before, during, and after the December 7 elections.
“These concerns have necessitated a nationwide demonstration, which is expected to take place on September 17, 2024,” part of the petition reads.
The group is, therefore, calling on the EU to intervene in the happenings in Ghana before it turns into a political upheaval.
It asked the EC to conduct an investigation into the matter and engage the various stakeholders involved in the 2024 election to ensure that there is peace before, during, and after the 2024 election.
“Being cognisant of the political instability within the ECOWAS bloc and the potential of these tensions to jeopardise the country’s democratic gains if not addressed immediately and seriously, the Concerned Citizens of Ghana in the Diaspora are taking proactive measures to ensure that Ghana conducts free and fair elections and maintains the peace the country has enjoyed over the years.
“As such, we are calling on the European Union to shift its attention to the developments happening in Ghana and take proactive measures to engage the EC as well as the government to reassure Ghanaians of free and fair elections devoid of bloody confrontations.
We call on the EU to:
“1. Conduct an independent investigation into the allegations and concerns.
“2. Issue a statement to the EC and government regarding your findings.
“3. Engage political parties and the Peace Council to ensure peaceful elections,” the petition concluded.
Read the full petition below:
