A call on the EC to introduce an online booking to curb the spread of COVID-19
No one invited covid-19 into the world and yet all of us suffer the pangs equally the same. Ghana as a country has had its own share of the excesses this novel disease brought affecting every fabric of our lives including our voting rights. But for the plans put in place, our voting rights could have been curtailed; kind courtesy covid-19. But general election is in December and just as our elders say in the Akan parlance that ‘we stop to sneeze even when crying’, preparation have to be made to ensure political leadership is decided in six months’ time. The future of our democracy depends on it. We must do this as we will.
There have been various conversations from all angles that have touched on the topics of voter registration and voting. Whiles some argue that Electoral commission’s decision to register voters in the midst of coronavirus is ill willed, political parties of all leanings agree that election 2020 must happen. The Electoral Commission in its duty to make sure Ghanaians who could come and register for the voter’s ID have put in place several strategies to ensure the safety of Ghanaians. I hasten to commend the electoral Commission of the efforts invested so far and at the same time hope to make a suggestion that will contribute in protecting the lives of the Ghanaian voters.
Now is not the time to debate whether registration should happen or not, I believe. We should support the electoral commission at all fonts. As a people, we have to find creative always of adding up to the efforts of the EC to make sure all of us are safe and sound. This country is ours, and it will take all of us to contribute to its progress. It is why I am suggesting an online booking system where people can book for the time, they should show up at the registration centres. This is not far-fetched. The reason is that passport office has a similar system running where people book their appointments online before they show up in person for the rest of the other process.
This solves three issues; one, it helps to put social distancing measure into place as the online booking platform will regulate the exact number of people to be present at a particular polling station which will eventually reduce the spread of the disease. Second, it helps to prevent overcrowding of polling stations as we have experienced in previously held voter registration exercise. Third, it helps to enhance productivity as in the sense of people having a definite timeline to have their registration so they wouldn’t bother to go to registration centres everyday like previously done with in time pasts have wasted lot of time that could have been channeled in other things both in our private and national life.
I am suggesting to the government to support with a part of the covid-19 support fund; to help recruit young people from NABOC, National Service Secretariat, National Union of Ghana Students to assist with the online booking system (as suggested) to enable people book the times they would be scheduled to have their registration. This disease is looming, yet people would want to exercise their national by registering to vote. I believe a lot of people will shy away from taking part in the exercise for the mere fear of catching the virus should they go to the registration centres. I believe the online booking system will help to drive away this fear and provide Ghanaians the comfortability of having their voting duty.
My suggestion come at a time where I know the electoral Commission have put up their best efforts in tackling the voter registry issue. I only seek to add my two cents. I am imploring all good people of Ghana to wish the Electoral Commission well, back them up with our prayers, and give them all the support they need. We are in this Ghana ship together. This ship must move forward regardless.
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