In a post on its official Facebook page, the EC stated that, “for the six empty ballot boxes that fell off the pickup truck in the Western Region, a report has been made to the police. They will be replaced by the Commission before election day”.

The NPP in the Western Region which raised red flags over the incident; has called on its constituency executives in the region; to go to their respective district EC offices and ensure that all ballot papers are counted.

Public angry over replacement

Meanwhile, over 130 persons who commented on the EC’s post as at the time of our check; expressed their anger over the Commission’s reaction to the issue.

According to them, the EC must commit itself to assisting the police in looking for the missing ballot boxes rather than replacing them.

Some argued that the danger associated with the six getting into wrong hands can have disturbing consequences on the December 7 polls.

Speaking to Citi News in Takoradi, the Western Regional Secretary of the NPP, Charles Cromwell Bissue, explained that “on 16th of November 2016, when the ballot boxes were being transported to the various constituencies in the region, in between Tarkwa, six of the boxes went missing. It was reported to the Tarkwa Police; but later had to be reported to the Kwesimintsim Police Command yesterday [Friday]. We got wind of it and we were told the police have started investigations it.”

‘We’re unhappy’

He added that, “as a political party we are not happy. As a result, we have called for a regional executive committee meeting to look into the matter. The reason is that; as a political party we are trying to restore democratic integrity into our electoral processes. However, there are so much suspicions transpiring now, in view of the fact that people do not trust the EC now. We were helping the EC to restore integrity but it appears the EC does not want it.”

Poor security for election materials?

It appears there’s very little security for the election materials considering the importance of such a national exercise.

When Citi News visited the Western Regional office of the Electoral Commission, the election materials were being arranged in the open with no security.

The wired-fence wall to the regional office has collapsed for several months, making the premises easily accessible.
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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 6 ‘missing’ ballot boxes in Western Region to be replaced – EC appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the NPP, the incident occurred when the six boxes, which were part of a bulk of 44 boxes, were being transferred from the Western Regional Head Office of the Electoral Commission to the various constituencies.

[contextly_sidebar id=”d9R8GjoMl4SVcckDiyALQpqWgNytFMnq”]Speaking to Citi News in Takoradi, the Western Regional Secretary of the NPP, Charles Cromwell Bissue, explained that “on 16th of November 2016, when the ballot boxes were being transported to the various constituencies in the region, in between Tarkwa, six of the boxes went missing. It was reported to the Tarkwa Police; but later had to be reported to the Kwesimintsim Police Command yesterday [Friday]. We got wind of it and we were told the police have started investigations it.”

‘We’re unhappy’

He added that, “as a political party we are not happy. As a result, we have called for a regional executive committee meeting to look into the matter. The reason is that; as a political party we are trying to restore democratic integrity into our electoral processes. However, there are so much suspicions transpiring now, in view of the fact that people do not trust the EC now. We were helping the EC to restore integrity but it appears the EC does not want it.”

‘We’ll audit the ballot boxes’

Mr. Bissue concluded that, “because of this issue, we have called all our constituency executives to go to the district EC offices to audit all the ballot papers, count them book by book and page by page to ascertain what is happening there.”

Sekondi parliamentary ballot papers ‘over-bloated’

Mr. Bissue also alleged that, the EC has printed more than enough of the ballot papers for parliamentary elections in Sekondi, an NPP stronghold, contrary to its own rules that allows for only five percent extra ballot.

“The EC has a policy that, 5 percent of the ballot papers will be added to the voter population in each constituency, however it is not so. Sekondi constituency for example has over 168 of the parliamentary papers which we need to look into. So we want to help the EC to do a good job.”

‘Missing’ ballot boxes fell from moving truck – EC

When Citi News contacted the Western Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Stephen Opoku Mensah, he confirmed that the incident, saying the boxes have not been stolen but fell off the Commission’s moving truck.

“Yes; the incident that the NPP is talking about happened; but it was not that it was stolen. Six empty boxes fell off on the road when they were being transported; but the police are looking into the matter.

He downplayed allegations of any foul play, and called for calm.

Poor security for election materials?

It appears there’s very little security for the election materials considering the importance of such a national exercise.

When Citi News visited the Western Regional office of the Electoral Commission, the election materials were being arranged in the open with no security.

The wired-fence wall to the regional office has collapsed for several months, making the premises easily accessible.
–
By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NPP angry over 6 ‘missing’ ballot boxes from EC’s moving truck appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This follows the Supreme Court ruling that ordered them to extend the period for the receipt of nomination to the close of Tuesday, November 8, to enable disqualified presidential hopefuls to correct errors on their nomination forms.

According to the Electoral Commission, the Supreme Court specifically asked them to conduct the balloting on Thursday, after the final list of candidates is declared on Wednesday, November 9, 2016.

[contextly_sidebar id=”6Vf7t8Gqf9M2a8IJ0XA3ESJHDHosnA9s”]The Commission, which has welcomed the verdict of the Supreme Court in their case against Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, Flagbearer of the Progressive People’s Party, (PPP), has already written to all the affected presidential hopefuls, pointing out their errors to them, and reminding them of the need for them to correct same in view of the court ruling.

Already, the affected parties are pessimistic about whether they would be able to meet the extension period which they say is too short.

Barring any last minute changes, there will only be four candidates on the ballot paper, representing the NPP, NDC, CPP and an Independent Candidate.

Below is the EC’s full response to the Supreme Court verdict

EC WELCOMES SUPREME COURT VERDICT

The Commission has received a certified copy of the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of the Republic vrs. High Court (Commercial Division) Ex-Parte Electoral Commission (Papa Kwesi Nduom, Interested Party). Upon carefully studying the judgment, the Commission is glad to note as follows:

1. That the Apex Court agreed with the Commission that the High Court committed an error of law apparent on the face of the record by holding that the Commission did not fix a nomination period. The Supreme Court indeed confirmed that there was a nomination period.

2. The Supreme Court also agreed with the Commission that the High Court exceeded its jurisdiction when it ordered the Commission to allow Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom to alter or amend his nomination papers. The court therefore quashed the High Court’s order in that respect.

Following the above, the Apex Court ordered that:

1. The nomination period which closed on 30th September, 2016 be extended for a further period of 2-days from Monday November 7 to Tuesday November 8, 2016.

2. That the Commission should invite Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, and all the disqualified presidential candidates who were able to submit their papers within the earlier nomination period, for a hearing within the extended nomination period specified above.

3. The Court further ordered that the Commission should in appropriate cases afford the candidates the opportunity to comply with Regulation 9 (2) of the Public Elections Regulations, 2016 (C.I. 94). For the avoidance of doubt, the Regulation 9(2) of the law provides that:

“The returning officer shall inform a candidate that the candidate’s nomination is invalid where:
a. The particulars of a candidate or the persons subscribing to the nomination paper are not as required by law; or

b. The nomination paper is not subscribed to as required by law, and shall give the candidate an opportunity to make amendment or any alteration necessary within the stipulated nomination period.”

4. The Court further ordered that the Commission declare the candidates so nominated to contest the 2016 elections by close of Wednesday November 9, 2016.

5. The Court also ordered that the Commission conduct the balloting of presidential candidates by Thursday November 10, 2016.

6. The Supreme Court also ordered a stay of proceedings pending in the various High Courts against the Commission in respect of the same issue to enable the Commission to carry out its constitutional obligations.

In line with the Court’s directives, all the 12 persons whose nomination forms were invalidated for failing to meet the legal requirements are hereby:

i. Invited to come to the Commission’s Head Quarters for a hearing within the extended nomination period specified above.

ii. They have the opportunity to correct the errors on their nomination forms and submit same to the Commission within the extended nomination period ending at 5:00pm on November 8, 2016.

iii. All corrected pages must be submitted in quadruplicate to the Commission.

The Commission would like to sincerely thank their Lordships for determining the case speedily. We would like to further express our utmost appreciation to the Court for bringing finality to the issue and therefore saving the electoral calendar.

Thank you.

Signed: Eric Kofi Dzakpasu Head of Communications
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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post EC to ballot for presidential candidates on Nov. 10 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.