The New Patriotic Party has joined a call for an Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting to discuss among others, the modalities that would govern the compilation of a biometric register ahead of the 2012 elections.
The call was made earlier by the People's National Convention (PNC).
Below is the full statement, signed by NPP National Chairman Jake Obetsebi Lamptey.
The Chairman,
Electoral Commission,
Accra.
Dear Sir,
We write to associate ourselves with the call by the People�s National Convention for an early meeting of IPAC.
We note that this is not the first call for an IPAC meeting. We have ourselves made the call twice before.
We note also that there is a real possibility that suggestions from the political parties that would enhance the registration process are being put in danger of being timed out because of the Commission�s inability or unwillingness to host an IPAC early meeting.
We note, for instance, that the best time for the registration exercise is a season that coincides with the time of the election. Eg. If the election is to be held when schools are in session then the registration should be done when schools are in session so that we do not disenfranchise any of our young voters.
The argument advanced against this is that we could not register in every polling station at the same time because we cannot afford to buy equipment sufficient for our polling stations and so must stagger the registration.
HAVE WE CONSIDERED ADOPTING THE TECHNOLOGY USED BY THE NIGERIANS AND APPROACHING THEM FOR SUPPORT, PERHAPS RENTING THEIR EQUIPMENT? In the same manner that we have supported other countries by loaning our transparent ballot boxes, the Nigerians may also agree to support a brother/sister nation.
If this were made to happen, it could save Ghana many millions of dollars. Plus we would be able to register at every polling station simultaneously.
We need the input of the political parties to ensure a cost effective register that will advance our democracy by helping to produce a result that is agreed and accepted as fair by all.
We eagerly anticipate an IPAC meeting with no further loss of time to help ensure this.
Yours faithfully,
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