EC condemns violence at voter registration centres

The Electoral Commission (EC) has condemned the violence that has engulfed some of its voter registration centres across the country in the ongoing mass exercise.

In a press statement issued Monday, the EC said it has "noted with concern some acts of violence at some Registration Centres across the country in the form of physical and verbal attacks on its officials."

It said the violence is perpetuated by political party supporters and sympathizers.

"One of such incidents occurred today [Monday, July 20] at the Step to Christ Voters Registration Centre in the Awutu Senya East Constituency in the Central Region where unidentifiable gunmen attacked officials at the centre and disrupted the process by firing gunshots."

The Commission condemns such acts during a civil exercise like the Registration of Voters and calls on security agencies to investigate the issue as a matter of urgency to bring the perpetrators to book, it added.

It said "these acts constitute a breach of the Vigilante and Related Offenses Act, 2019 Act 999. The Act seeks to disband violent activities of Political Parties and makes political vigilantism an offence punishable by a prison term."

The Commission reminded the public, particularly political party agents, that any person who wishes to challenge an Applicant on the basis of ineligibility must fill a Challenge Form, which will then be presented to the District Registration Review Committee for a ruling on the matter. Political Party agents are therefore cautioned against the use of violence to challenge a person’s eligibility.

The Commission calls on the public to condemn the violence and urges all eligible voters.

Four arrested after shooting, burning of motorbikes at Awutu Senya East registration centre

Four persons were Monday arrested after a shooting incident at a voter registration centre in the Awutu Senya East constituency in the Central Region.

The incident occurred at the centre situated at the Step to Christ polling station.

Some motorbikes were burnt at the centre. EC officials at the centre were attacked as well which disrupted the registration process.

Some gunshots were also fired at the centre during the confusion.

more to follow...