Allegation of double votingNPP Youth Organiser freed by court

A Goaso Circuit Court, presided over by Justice Osei Kwame Gyamfi, has freed the Asunafo South New Patriotic Party (NPP) Youth Organiser, Mr. Adjei Malick, of an allegation of double registration during 2008 general elections.

The Kukuom police arrested and charged Mr. Malick of double registration during the 2004 voter's registration exercise, by the Electoral Commission. He was accused of registering with the names Adu Gyamfi Adjei and Adjei Malick, all at the CMB shed at Sankore in the Asunafo South District.

The defendant, Mr. Adjei Malick, who is also the National Youth Employment Co-ordinator of the Asunafo South District, admitted that he took part in the 2004 voters' registration exercise, and continued that he swore an affidavit at an Accra High Court to change his name from Adu Gyamfi Adjei to Adjei Malick.

He further stated that during the 2006 registration exercise, he registered in his new name and subsequently wrote an application to the District Electoral Commissioner, asking him to withdraw the former name from the list, but was amazed to see his former name still in the voters register.

The witness in the case, who is also the Asunafo South District Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Isaac Ekow Essien, confirmed the defendant's application to change his former name.

According to Mr. Essien, the EC erred by forgetting to delete the former name of the defendant from the register.

After studying the documentary evidence, Justice Osei Kwame Gyamfi said the confirmation by the electoral officer testified the fact that Mr. Adjei Malick had no intention of double registration.

Based on the development, the accused was acquitted and discharged.