Set Up Independent C�ttee To Decide On Voters� Register � IDEG

The Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG) and Civic Forum Initiative (CFI), are asking the country�s Electoral Commission to set up a committee of election experts to examine the current voters� register and consider whether there is a need for a new one or not. There have been arguments for and against a new register particularly between the two main political parties the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The NPP has petitioned the EC and provided what it described as reliable evidence of a bloated register to buttress its demands. But the NDC on the other hand argued there is no need for a new register since that is likely to bring more problems for the 2016 elections. Other parties have also supported calls for a new one with others simply calling for a cleaning of the register instead of an entirely new one. Although the Electoral Commission has started receiving proposals from the parties, the general public and civil society organizations on the way forward, IDEG and CFI say the disagreements must be critically scrutinized by a committee of election experts. This was contained in IDEG�s proposal to the EC on the debate for a new voters� register. IDEG in its proposal said �the way forward is for the EC to task a committee of experienced and reputable experts to scientifically and impartially access the accuracy of the existing voters� register. The committee should also verify the counter claims and report on the overall health and suitability of the existing voters� register for the 2016 elections. It is only on the basis of an objective and transparent assessment of the said claims, that the EC and the nation would be better informed to make the hard choices needed to secure a credible register not only for the 2016 elections but for future elections.� �Accordingly, we call on the EC to independently set up an impartial taskforce made up of eminent experts and individuals with the experience and knowledge of issues in the compilation of credible voters� register. The taskforce should undertake a critical assessment of the 2012 biometric voters� register and dispassionately propose solutions identified and or persistent problems which undermine the public trust and confidence in the integrity of the register. We believe that the committee�s report will enhance the process of consultations and deliberations which the EC has already initiated in order to make the best decision for the nation. Giving Ghana a more trustworthy and lasting rather will be one good decision,� IDEG noted.