EC must scrap use of party polling agents - Nduom

The flagbearer of the Progressive People's Party, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom has called on the Electoral Commission to abolish the use of party polling agents during elections.

Dr. Nduom argued that international best practice in voting does not require polling agents of political parties observing or monitoring the process of voting, rather political parties can choose to bring their agents to witness the counting process and declaration of results after the voting.

The PPP flagbearer was speaking in an interview with Joy FM, Monday. He added that due to the fact that party agents go to polling stations to monitor proceedings, all manner of violent activities like intimidation erupt leading to rise in the electoral temperature.

He said his call for the abolishing of the party polling agent system is to avoid the situation where these agents rather than witnessing proceedings turn themselves into vigilantes fomenting trouble.

Dr. Ndoum added that his party wants a strong and independent Electoral Commission that can declare result on their own without necessarily having party agents witnessing the entire process of voting.

“The EC should assert its independence and strength. Whatever it is that needs to be done, that's what it must do” Dr. Nduom said.

He further commended the EC for the courage it employed in carrying out the biometric voter registration exercise adding that the EC can deliver if given the needed mandate and support.

Dr. Nduom challenged the EC to annul results from polling stations where votes cast outnumber the number of people registered for that particular area.

He called on the EC to look out for the interest of all Ghanaians and not a section of political parties.