The Electoral Commission of Ghana says the National Democratic Congress’ arguments that one Charles Opoku cannot contest in the Assin North by-election because he is not a registered voter in the constituency is flawed, absurd and unconstitutional.

According to the EC, the NDC’s arguments are baseless and meant to malign the election management body.

The NDC’s national communications officer, Sammy Gyamfi insists that the EC’s explanation that a person need not be a registered voter in the Constituency he/she intends to stand for election is illogical and that the EC should have relied on the CI 127 and in particular the Nomination Form contained in CI 127 before arriving at the conclusion that a person need not be a registered voter in the same Constituency he/she intends to contest.

Responding to this line of argument, the EC in a statement disclosed that the NDC Parliamentary Candidate in the just-ended Kumawu by-election was not a registered voter in the Kumawu constituency.

According to the EC, Mr. Kwasi Amankwaa is a registered voter in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency.

 “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?

“For the information of the general public, the NDC candidate for the recent by-election Mr. Kwasi Amankwaa is not a registered voter in the Kumawu Constituency. He is a registered voter in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, yet he contested in the Kumawu by-election because he hails from there. Why didn’t the NDC raise this issue ahead of the Kumawu Constituency by-Election?” the EC quizzed.