The Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC) has dared the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to explain how the party’s candidate in the recently held Kumawu by-elections was eligible despite being a registered voter in Ayawaso West Wuogon in the Greater Accra Region.

“Was Sammy Gyamfi not aware of this phrase, ‘of the same Constituency’ on the Nomination Form before allowing their candidate for the Kumawu By-Election who is NOT a registered voter in Kumawu to contest for the recent By-Election?”

The EC challenged Sammy Gyamfi following his description of a recent explanation of the election-management body of his earlier allegations as “absurd”, “unreasonable”, “illogical” and “unconstitutional”.

According to the NDC executive, the EC was colluding with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to smuggle into the Assin North voter register a citizen originally registered in Tarkwa Nsuaem in the Western Region.

Despite the EC’s explanation, the NDC Communications Officer said his allegations were based on CI127, which enjoins one to transfer registration between constituencies 42 days before an election.

In its latest response to Mr Gyamfi, the EC rejected his claims and urged him to “exercise maturity, decorum and truth in his discussions on the EC”.

“We urge him to go out and campaign and leave the EC alone.”

The response on Tuesday, June 6 described as misleading the claims by Sammy Gyamfi.

It said it is only those who sign the Nomination Form who are mandated to be resident in a particular constituency.

“The candidate is only required to hail from or reside in the Constituency to qualify to contest in that Constituency.

“If one should interpret what is stated on the Parliamentary Nomination Form to imply that the candidate must also be a registered voter in the same Constituency, that would be absurd, unreasonable, illogical and unconstitutional to borrow some of the words of Sammy Gyamfi”.

The EC reminded all about the same attitude of the NDC in the election petition case in 2021.

“It is well known that they could not provide evidence in court to support their allegations.

“This current allegation is no different. It is baseless and unfounded and a figment of the imagination of the National Communications Officer. We call on all well meaning Ghanaians to ignore it.”

Follow @kwame_amoh