The Let My Vote Count Alliance (LMVCA) has expressed apprehension over the Electoral Commission’s (EC) handling of the ongoing proxy voting application process.
The Alliance said the provision in the process that makes it open for both the applicant and the proxy to be able to pick the application form will “open the floodgates for fictitious applications” and foul play on the part of the Commission.
The EC had announced the opening of applications for proxy voting on August 17, scheduled to run to September 26.
This window will allow eligible voters who are determined to be unable to vote on the Election Day, to pick up the application forms or allow their proxies to pick up the forms.
However, the LMVCA in a statement signed by its Convener, David Asante, contended that “the exercise commenced hurriedly without any substantial public education on the process.”
The statement also said “the surreptitiousness surrounding this exercise gives cause for great concern as it suggests that the EC is willfully keeping the electorate in the dark about the entire process of proxy voting.”
The LMVCA explained that “the usual practice under Regulation 25 of CI 94 is that it is the eligible voter who has determined that he/she is unable to vote on Election Day, who picks up the application form. Yet, in the ongoing proxy application exercise, the press release signed by the EC PRO makes it open for both the Applicant and the Proxy to be able to pick the Proxy application form.”
Furthermore, “the absence of a clearly defined process for the submission of the proxy application, coupled with the apparent secrecy surrounding the entire process, fuels suspicions of foul play by the EC,” according to the alliance.
The LMVCA thus advised the EC to conduct “its affairs in such a manner that would restore the waning confidence of the public in its ability to conduct credible elections.”
Read the full LMVC statement below
PRESS RELEASE
4th September, 2016.
LMVCA : ON-GOING PROXY APPLICATION PROCESS IS AN
OPEN WINDOW FOR RIGGING!!!
The Let My Vote Count Alliance (LMVCA) is deeply concerned about the lack of transparency on the part of the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) in the ongoing proxy voting application exercise.
On Tuesday, August 16, 2016, the EC issued a press release announcing that the proxy voting applications would commence the very next day, Wednesday, August 17, 2016 and end on Monday, September 26, 2016. Thus, the exercise commenced hurriedly without any substantial public education on the process. Indeed, the surreptitiousness surrounding this exercise gives cause for great concern as it suggests that the EC is willfully keeping the electorate in the dark about the entire process of proxy voting.
The LMVCA is skeptical about the unorthodox way in which the proxy application is currently being carried out. The usual practice under Regulation 25 of CI 94 is that it is the eligible voter who has determined that he/she is unable to vote on Election Day, who picks up the application form. Yet, in the ongoing proxy application exercise, the press release signed by the EC PRO makes it open for both the Applicant and the Proxy to be able to pick the Proxy application form. This deviation is not only puzzling, but also opens the floodgates for fictitious applications.
The absence of a clearly defined process for the submission of the proxy application, coupled with the apparent secrecy surrounding the entire process, fuels suspicions of foul play by the EC.
Although according to CI 94, a proxy application may be done not less than 42 days before Election Day, the fact that proxy applications are being opened 113 clear days before the election and spanning a period of 41 days is outlandish and calls for a high alert.
The LMVCA wishes to reiterate that the future of democracy in Ghana hinges on the processes and outcome of election 2016. Some of the most inalienable virtues in the every step of an electioneering body is transparency, inclusiveness, fairness, and integrity. It is therefore extremely crucial that the EC conducts its affairs in such a manner that would restore the waning confidence of the public in its ability to conduct credible elections.
Thank you.
David Asante
Convener – 0268 220220
Ibrahim Adjei
Spokesperson – 0243 338544
John H. Acquaah
Dir. Operations – 0268 110110
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