Politics of Monday, 19 November 2012

Source: Joy Online

Parties confident double voting will minimize

Political parties are confident that the biometric verification system will reduce reports of double voting and bloated results at polling stations especially in the strongholds of their opponents.

The Electoral Commission says such alleged reports often come from the strongholds of political parties and has served notice polling stations with bloated results will have their results nullified.

Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, George Lawson told Joy News his party is confident in the system in place so far, but will ensure its agents are vigilant.

NPP Chairman, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey who is equally optimistic said process being put in place would make it difficult for people to do double voting.

He explained that parties would have to confirm and sign the number of ballot papers being sent to a particular area, and after voting they would have the right to check the remaining papers.

Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission is intensifying its dialogue with candidates contesting the December polls to resolve all outstanding issues.

The exercise is taking place concurrently across the country.

In Accra, the various candidates are being briefed by the Regional Director of the Commission, Alexander Poku-Akubia.

He told Joy News shortly before the meeting that he expects frank discussions to build confidence in the entire electoral process.

Multi TV’s Emmanuel Anteh who is monitoring events at the EC headquarters reports that the EC is expected to hand over the voters’ register to the parties by the end of the week.

About 84 parliamentary candidates are expected to take part in the exercise, but as at midday only 64 are present, he noted.