Arrest and punish “rigging lords” during the recently held referendum

Dr. Victor Abdul-Satarh Quarshie Adonoo

Democratic Credentials Network Ghana (DCN-GH) has observed with utter dismay and sadness massive electoral fraud which characterized the referendum held on Thursday, 27th December 2018.

Truth be told! The truth though is that the chiefs and people of the Oti enclave have petitioned for their independence from the Volta Region. But, for a flawed process to be used as a determinant of the said region is unacceptable and highly dangerous to our democratic journey as a country.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Constitutional Instrument (C.I) 109 on unauthorized voting regulations are very clear. The regulation states that; “A person who knowingly- a) votes at a referendum at which he is not entitled to vote; or b) votes more than once at a referendum, commits an offence, and is liable on summary conviction, to a minimum fine of ₵50,000.00 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both”.

The chaotic atmosphere, intimidation, and massive vote stealing by some rented EC officials clearly demonstrates constitutional breaches and how the referendum was poorly organized by the election management body to subvert the will of the NO voters.

The above observations has seriously exposed the biasness of the Electoral Commission towards the latter and this must be condemned by all because it is a threat to our infant democracy.

As a democratic oriented Civil Society Organization (CSO) which advocates for participatory, accountable, and democratic governance, we condemn in no uncertain terms the massive fraud which characterized the whole referenda.

By this release, we are calling on Ghana’s Electoral Commission and the security agencies to take urgent actions to arrest and severely punish perpetrators of this heinous electoral fraud, for we cannot sacrifice our democracy for anything.

(SGD)

Dr. Victor Abdul-Satarh Quarshie Adonoo

(EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DCN-GH)

0243603147