The Effutu branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed reservations about the recent transfer of Effutu Municipal Director, Madam Emelia Ama Akotia, by the Electoral Commission chaired by Jean Mensah.
The unannounced transfer, which takes effect immediately, coincides with ongoing limited voter registration and transfer exercises.
The Effutu NDC, in a statement, described the transfer as unethical and urged Jean Mensah to reverse the decision without delay.
“We in the NDC condemn this transfer in no uncertain terms and are calling on Madam Jean Mensah, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, to reverse this unholy decision immediately,” the statement read.
The NDC stressed past issues with the Effutu Electoral Commission, including allegations of a bloated voters’ register in the 2020 elections.
The party noted that recent efforts by the Commission to address these issues, made the timing of the transfer particularly concerning.
“The sudden transfer of Madam Emelia Ama Akotia from Effutu, in the middle of the limited voter registration exercise, therefore, comes as a shock to us,” the statement continued.
The NDC posed several questions regarding the transfer, questioning its timing and its reasons.
“Why is Ama being transferred with immediate effect, especially in the middle of the ongoing registration and transfer exercises? If she has committed any offence, what was the nature of the offence, that is so grave that the EC could not wait till the end of the ongoing registration and transfer exercises for such a transfer to be effected?” they asked.
The party also raised suspicions about possible political motivations behind the transfer, especially given recent altercations between Akotia and local NPP leaders.
“Why has Madam Ama Akotia been transferred just days after she is reported to have had altercations with elements within the leadership of the Effutu NPP? Does Ama’s transfer have anything to do with her unwillingness to do the bidding of the NPP?” the statement queried.
The Effutu NDC also warned against illegal voter transfers orchestrated by NPP elements in various constituencies with multiple sources pointing to elements within the NPP gallivanting several constituencies, promising people with money to transfer their votes to Effutu to vote for the NPP.
“We are hearing that the new person being brought to the Effutu constituency is a political orchestration to fulfil the wishes of the NPP,” the statement alleged.
The NDC urged the public to adhere to legal guidelines for voter transfers and called on the general public not to transfer their votes to the Effutu constituency if they are not eligible to vote there.
“Students of educational institutions in Effutu are qualified to transfer their votes here. Individuals who have lived in the constituency for 12 months and above can transfer their votes here. Any other transfer is illegal,” they emphasized.
