New regions voting will go ahead; EC dismisses purported injunction

The Electoral Commission has urged the electorate to come out and vote in the new regions referenda and dismiss suggestions of an injunction on the process.

In a statement signed and issued by Dr Bossman Asare, a Deputy Chairman, the Commission dismissed some media reports alleging that an injunction has been placed on the December 27 referenda for the creation of New Regions.

“The Commission calls on the general public to disregard that information. All arrangements are in place and the referendum will be held as scheduled on Thursday the 27th of December, 2018,” the said.

At least half of all eligible voters must vote and at least 80% must vote ‘Yes’ for the creation to be approved.

Those in favour must vote Yellow for Yes, and those against, dark brown for No.

Two individuals, Gabriel Aziaglo of Dodo Tamale in the Kadjebi District and Dan Louis Nikabo of Avornyokope also in the Kadjebi District of the Volta Region on Monday December 24, 2018 applied to the High Court to put an injunction on the December 27 referendum to create six new regions.

The two applicants, who describe themselves as registered voters in the proposed Oti Region to be created out of the Volta Region, say they fear, among other things, that the fairness and transparency of the polls would be compromised if the process proceeds with its current arrangements and want the court to enforce their fundamental human rights.

Read also: Two seek injunction against new regions referendum

Read a copy of the statement from the EC below:

PURPORTED INJUNCTION ON THE REFERENDUM PRESS RELEASE

The Commission has received reports from a section of the media that an injunction has been placed on the upcoming referendum scheduled for Thursday the 27th Day of December, 2018.

The Commission calls on the general public to disregard that information.

All arrangements are in place and the referendum will be held as scheduled on Thursday the 27thof December, 2018.

The Commission calls on all eligible voters in the affected areas of BONO EAST, AHAFO, NORTH EAST, SAVANNA, WESTERN NORTH, and OTI to go out in their numbers to cast their votes on Thursday, 27th December, 2018 from 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Thank you.