The Electoral Commission (EC) has embarked on a voter transfer exercise that will enable registered voters interested in contesting parliamentary seats in constituencies other than where they are registered to transfer their votes.
The 20-day exercise, which started on February 11, will end on March 8, 2019.
A memo dated February 8, 2019 and signed by Deputy EC Chairman in charge of Operations, Mr Samuel Tettey, titled ‘Transfer of Votes’, stated that “Voter Transfer window on the VMS will be opened from February 11, 2019 to March 8, 2019”.
The memo directed that only those interested in contesting political party primaries in the various constituencies are to visit the district office with applications to have their votes transferred.
“Anyone desirous of transferring their vote should visit the office in the constituency in which they hope to contest”, it added.
It asked interested applicants to apply to the District Electoral Officers, who are to ensure that applicants meet the requirements in relation to transfer of vote.
The requirements are that the applicant must be a registered voter, must have registered in a district other than the one in which he/she currently resides, must be resident in a district within any of the proposed regions for not less than 12 months, must provide physical proof of residence, and must be prepared to sign a Voter Transfer Declaration Form.
The process is part of the commission’s mandate to put its house in order in waiting to deliver successful general elections.
Information gathered indicates that the commission permits eligible candidates to transfer their votes if they so wish.
This is to give the aspirants ample time to prepare for their primaries before the general one is opened to the public some months to elections.
Source: The Finder
