The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has issued a new directive barring political party agents from observing the transfer of votes at district offices.
This directive, effective from June 3, 2024, was communicated to regional and district directors in response to violent clashes reported during previous vote transfer exercises.
In the memo, the EC stated, “The Commission’s attention has been drawn to the violent clashes occurring at some district offices as a result of the transfer of votes exercise. Regional directors are to inform district officers not to allow agents of political parties to observe the transfer of votes exercise with effect from tomorrow, Monday, the 3rd of June 2024. Pursuant to Regulation 22(8) of CI 127, Returning Officers are required to give copies of the transferred voters list to the political parties and candidates upon request.”
The EC’s decision aims to prevent further disturbances and ensure a smooth transfer process. However, the Commission emphasized its commitment to transparency by ensuring that political parties and candidates can still request copies of the transferred voter lists.
The directive has sparked significant backlash from political figures. Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Adaklu Constituency, Kwame Governs Agbodza, criticised the decision on social media, calling it “criminally minded.” He argued that agents must be allowed to fully observe the process to ensure fairness and accountability.
In his post on X, Agbodza wrote, “This is criminally minded. AGENTS MUST OBSERVE FULLY.”
The new directive and subsequent reactions highlight the ongoing tensions and challenges in maintaining electoral integrity and security in Ghana. The EC’s measures are intended to balance the need for order and security at district offices while upholding the transparency of the electoral process.
For further context, this directive follows the EC’s broader efforts to manage the electoral process, including voter registration and the upcoming 2024 general elections. The EC has also faced scrutiny for its handling of voter registration exercises and the provision of voting facilities.