KEY POINTS
- A Ghanaian court has ordered the Electoral Commission (EC) to nullify 1,000 fraudulent voter transfers in Manhyia South.
- The fraudulent transfers were allegedly orchestrated by members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
- The ruling aims to protect the integrity of the electoral process in the lead-up to Ghana’s upcoming elections.
A court in Ghana has directed the Electoral Commission (EC) to counter 1000 transfers of voters which have been deemed fraudulent in the Manhyia South constituency.
This decision has been made supporting allegations proving that some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), a major political party, was involved in the transfers.
The ruling is expected to affect the elections that are to be held in Ghana shortly, especially in the Manhyia South constituency where political activities are on the increase.
The transfers were allegedly used to perpetrate a larger overall plan to skew the voter lists in a given election in favor of specific candidates.
Fraudulent transfers as coordinated by NDC
From the records of the court, the voter transfers were perpetrated by people affiliated with the NDC. The scheme entailed moving voters who were barred from voting in the Manhyia South and increase the voter roll in the constituency.
It is capable of probably changing the outcome of local elections, and therefore, moderate the democratic process.
The court directed the EC to move with speed and reverse the transfers to their respective voter registers. This decision goes a long way to sanctity of the electoral process as Ghana looks forward to another election year.
Electoral integrity at stake
These fraudulent voter transfers have elicited a lot of concern as to the authenticity of the electoral systems in Ghana. The country has been seen as a model democracy in West Africa, but cases of vote rigging leave the electorate with little confidence in the electoral system.
Maintaining the integrity of elections is a very important aspect in order for the Ghana to continue to boast of the democracy.
Following the recent development, however, the EC which is electoral commission of Ghana has the mandate of reversing such fraudulent transfers and ensure that they do not reoccur again in the future. This is so because the commission has such a significant role of safeguarding the electoral process and the liberty of the electoral process.
It has also brought an analysis on the involvement of political parties in the manipulation of elections. Claims against the NDC have become louder and louder as critics demand improved sanctions and increased supervision to ensure that the same fails do not occur again.
The court decision is viewed by many people as triumph of democratic values with emphasis put on the requirements of transparency and accountability in the organization of the election.
Influence on the subsequent elections
In view of the upcoming elections in Ghana, the court’s ruling may have a huge impact on the voting pattern of people in the country. The people of Manhyia South, and Ghanaians in general, are anxiously waiting to see how the EC will handle the ruling and whether other measures will be taken to rectify any errors in the voter registration exercise.
According to Ghana web, the NDC has not responded to the court ruling formally but the party is likely to be challenged as it campaigns for the election. Any other events of frauds or scandals are liable to bring down their chances with the voters since their campaign has been associated with fraud allegations.
This ruling also comes as a strong warning to political parties and candidates in the entire Ghana that any form of electoral malpractice is going to attract a strong legal backlash. This case shows that more improved efforts should be employed in the fight against fraud and in keeping the voting process more transparent.
A step toward electoral reform
In the general scheme of things in Ghana’s political landscape, the ruling of the court may open the flood gate for a more elaborate electoral reform. Most Ghanaians want greater protection against vote rigging and better poll monitoring mechanisms so that elections are free and fair.
Such reforms could be initiated by the lawmakers and civil society organizations in order to enhance the electoral systems in the country and this case could be an eye opener.
For now, the emphasis stays on whether the EC can execute the decision of the court properly. The annulment of the 1000 voter transfers will serve as a warning to anybody who will venture to try and manipulate the system in that manner.
Hence, with the progressive democracy in the electoral process in Ghana, then the above ruling can help in the restoration of the confidence of the public in the process of the election.
The general election which are expected to be conducted in this country will be very relevant in as far as the seriousness of this nation in embracing democracy and free and fair elections is concerned.
