Our Electoral System Has Improved Since 1992 . . . How Can EC Rig Elections? - Atik

PNC General Secretary, Atik Mohammed has reposed confidence in the Electoral Commission (EC) to hold credible elections this year.

In sharp contrast with claims by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Atik Mohammed is optimistic that the EC's decision to compile a new voters' register is a step in the right direction and therefore called on all Ghanaian electorates to participate in the registration exercise when the time is due.

The leadership and members of the National Democratic Congress have accused the EC and the National Identification Authority (NIA) of conniving to skew the December polls in favour of the incumbent government.

According to the opposition party, the EC's plan to use the Ghana card and Ghanaian passport as the only legal documents for registration of eligible persons into a new voters' register is an attempt by the Commission to disenfranchise 11 million electorates in the country and also rig the 2020 elections for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Although the EC and NIA have both debunked the NDC claims, the opposition party still holds onto their position on the registration exercise.

Addressing the issue on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', Atik Mohammed asserted that there is no way the Electoral Commission can rig elections.

He also stated that the amendments that the Commission is seeking in the Constitutional Instrument (C.I) 91 which will make Ghana card or passport holders the only legal people to register will not disenfranchise electorates.

"I don't see how those amendments will prevent an 18-year old Ghanaian with a sound mind from going to write his or her name," he said.

Atik Mohammed wondered why the NDC is worried with the EC's decision to compile a new voters' register and disclosed that the party refused to join the IPAC meeting which had the Commission discussing electoral issues with the various political parties in the country.

He said the Commission's plan to use the Ghana card and passport for the registration exercise is legitimate, explaining that the NDC is opting for the NHIS card to be included in the legal requirements but it is in conflict with a Supreme Court ruling that the NHIS card holders are not eligible to have their names written in the voters' register.

To him, the Ghana card and passport are the best alternatives that the EC could go for, and that Ghana's electoral system has improved since 1992 which makes it impossible for the Commission to ''steal'' the elections.

''How is the Electoral Commission going to rig the elections? How is that possible?''

''We've modified our processes from 1992 till date. Is it today that a lot of things have been added to improve on the transparency of our elections that somebody is going to rig the elections? How can the Electoral Commission rig it?'' he questioned.

Listen to his submission in video below