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The protest against the decision by the Electoral Commission (EC) to compile a new Voter Register took an interesting turn on Monday when two powerful civil society groups sought to rope in the Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II, to use his revered office to resolve the impasse.
Policy think tank IMANI Africa and the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) petitioned the Asantehene and the Asanteman Traditional Council to intervene in the EC decision to compile a new voter register.
The groups say the EC's decision to compile a new voter register is creating tension in the country, hence the need for the Asantehene to intervene.
"...we want Otumfuo and the council to step in early by calling the EC and the agitated political parties to reach a compromise decision to avert any future disturbances...do not want any Ghanaian to be disenfranchised even if the exercise takes off as planned," they said.
Rigging Claims
The EC has indicated its resolve to compile a new voter register for the 2020 general elections despite the strong resistance to its plans by some political parties and civil society organisations.
These bodies argue that the current register is good enough to be used for the 2020 polls and have made known their intention to kick against the EC decision
The opposition party, for instance, posits that the time allocated for the EC to compile a new register for the 2020 elections has elapsed, and accused the electoral body of seeking to rig the elections for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP); an allegation the EC has denied.
The NDC has also made a case that the intended registration exercise could put the country in jeopardy considering how public gathering could increase the spread of Coronavirus.
Registration Exercise By June Ending?
But the election management body appears adamant and insists plans are far advanced for the successful take-off of the registration process, stressing it is critical for a free, fair and transparent election.
According to the EC, the current voters’ register and its management system and biometric verification devices cannot deliver a credible election.
Biometric Machines Fit For Elections
HelloFM's Senior Reporter, Sampson K. Nyamekye, who was at the function, said the petition was presented to the Asantehene and the council by the President of IMANI Africa, Mr Franklin Cudjoe and the Executive Director of ASEPA, Mensah Thompson.
"We are not against registration for people to vote but the cost claim the EC makes does not justify procurement of a new register....the existing biometric registration machines are fit for running the 2020 general elections," Mr Franklin Cudjoe of IMANI told the media.
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Source: Peacefmonline/Ghana
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Why is NDC so afraid of the NEW VOTER REGISTER. You are in court yet you asking Otumfuor to step in for WHAT? THIS IS A CONSTITUTION MATTER, LEAVE OTUMFOUR ALONE.
I was wondering why you can be that iignorant. That something is a constitutional matter so no one can meddle in it? By the way, where in the constitution did it say that only passport and NIA cards should be used for compilation of voters register?
THE INSISTING POSITION OF IMANI IS SURPRISING. THEY ARE BENT ON DOING THE NDC BIDING TO DRAG THE OTUMFUOR INTO THEIR PHANTOM PROBLEM. NOTHING IN THE PROGRAM OF NIA NOR EC POSES ANY PROBLEM WHATSOEVER TO ANY PATRIOTIC GHANAIAN. EC IS DOING A NEW REGISTRATION FOR EVERY TRUE GHANAIAN OF 18YRS AND ABOVE OF SOUND MIND FOR VOTING. IT IS NOW GOING TO START AND NO GHANAIAN IS EXCLUDED. ALL WHO QUALIFY ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE. ALL EQUIPMENT ACQUIRED. STAFF TRAINED. PREPARATION AND ARRANGEMENTS COMPLETED. NO PARTY AFFILIATION REQUIRED. CONCERNS FOR COVID-19 ADDRESSED. COST OF REGISTRATION TAKEN CARE OF. EDUCATION TO REGISTER IS ONGOING. POLITICAL PARTIES BRIEFED AT IPAC MEETING. WHAT SHOULD OTUMFUOR DO? TO BECOME NCCE AND DO MORE EDUCATION? PLEASE IMANI TAKE CARE OF YOUR SELF-IMPOSED PROBLEM. BE REALISTIC AND STOP THROWING DUST INTO GHANAIAN EYES. WE RESPECTED YOU IN THE PAST. STOP MAKING YOURSELVES TOO CHEAP IN POLITICS BY DOING THE NDC BIDDING. DON'T GET DITCHED WITH NDC. WE STILL NEED YOU. THE WIFE OF DEREK CHAUVIN IS SMART TO DISSOCIATE HERSELF FROM THE KILLER HUSBAND IN DIVORCE. SOMETIMES IT IS PRUDENT TO DO THAT. DONT DRAG OTUMFUOR INTO PETTY POLITICS. WE NEED HIM FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE TASK.
This is purely constitutional matter which does not need any outsider to meddle in. Why are they trying to make it look like simple registration to vote is the same as beating war drums? Imani and Asepa or whatever they call them have become errand institutions of Mahama. That guy Franklyn Cudjoe has no credibility left.
Only Non Ghanaians will speak against EC and their decisions Otufuor will tell them the truth for Ghanaians.
Franklin Cudjoe and his IMANI are very annoying. This all knowing attitude of some of these people is very nauseating. The EC who knows about these machines are saying they are not fit for purpose and you want to force them to use it. If the machines break down during elections due to heavy usage who will we blame? Do you know the chaos that could emanate when people who have queued to realise they are being disenfranchised because of faulty machines. That is where the real danger is. What is this talk about eligible voters not gwtting on the register when it is open. For those who seriously want to vote they will go and register How will you feel when someone tells you how to use the funds you go for in running your think tank?
This is just gumption. The EC boss and Bossman asare are themselves products of this so called defective register, so no one understands what they are talking about. This register produced nana addo who appointed Jean mensah and Bossman asare. So if they claim the register is not good, then I am even going to court to challenge their appointment and the legality of the president who appointed them. As soon as they throw the register away, they have illegitimate the president as well as thier own appointment. This is just common sense.
Now the true color of IMANI is known. Like that corruption watch whose leader became a presidential advisor on NDC winning the elections , Mr. Cudjoe realizes the NDC has no chance of the register is cleaned. Threat has been the stock in trade of the NDC; when the NPP is busily thinking of policies to help enrich the lives of Ghanaians, the NDC only thinks about how to rig and win the elections. Clearly, it’s gonna be very difficult for them to get minors to register since anyone who vouches does a minor can be prosecuted later. With the advent of the new Ghana Card, a minor will be disadvantaged should he/she decide to register before he-she turns 18.
Why should you rope in The Asantehene? I hope Nana will not enter this. When an opposition vows to cause carnage should the whole nation be intimidated by their threats. In 2008 we saw the carnage and their march to the electoral commission. Personally I would not mind using the old register but the stance taken by the NDC in whose term of office the current register was prepared speaks volumes. There is something they know about the register which I may not know. We know what the 2012 petition revealed: a bogus incredible register. Let the EC do her best to give us a credible register.
You people think Nana Otumfo is like Togbe Afedi who keeps disgracing himself by meddling himself in politics. Nana will never degrade his high like that. EC is an independent body allow her to work. What is ndc afraid of? Franklin Cudjoe, if your chief has disgraced himself by meddling in politics leave Otumfo alone he is not ready for cheap politicking. If you have collected bride from ndc refund their money to them.