Africa-Press – Ghana. With less than 24 hours to the Ejisu by-election, the Electoral Commission (EC) is urging electorates to trust them as they will ensure the voting is done in a free, fair, and transparent manner.
Reacting to allegations by the camp of one of the independent candidates that some ballot boxes have been stuffed in an attempt to rig the election, the Commission asked the public to ignore that claim.
“The time the allegation was made, we had not even started printing the ballot. How then can someone stuff the ballot boxes. And how is that even going to be done? Because our ballot box is transparent, and we open it before we start voting.
After close of polls, we open it there and then to count it in the presence of everybody. So how possible can somebody stuff the ballot box? These are false allegations and must not be given any attention. So, everybody should have confidence in the system. We as a Commission will not allow anybody to cheat or be cheated”, Ashanti Regional Director of Electoral Commission, Benjamin Bannor-Bio told.
Mr Bannor-Bio however implored on candidates to choose agents who are vigilant.
“The candidate should also trust the system and provide agents who are very effective, know the processes and can defend their rights. It’s not just bringing anyone who is loud, but can’t differentiate between 69 and 96”, he advised the contesting candidates.
At the Ejisu EC office, all electoral materials have arrived, signifying the preparation of the Commission ahead of Tuesday’s election.
Officials have assured that there will not be an issue of delay in all the 204 polling stations.
Over 100,000 people are expected to vote tomorrow to decide on who replaces the Late Dr John Kumah and represents the people of Ejisu in Parliament.
Six candidates including a former Member of Parliament for the area now contesting on an independent ticket, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, New Patriotic Party’s Kwabena Boateng, Convention People’s Party Esther Osei, Liberal Party of Ghana’s Beatrice Boakye, Freduah Agyemang Joseph and Attakorah Joseph both on independent tickets will battle it all out.
Campaigns are now over and both electorates and candidates appear geared up for the voting day.
For More News And Analysis About Ghana Follow Africa-Press
