The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has indicated that activities of the Electoral Commission (EC) will be keenly monitored by the Coalition of Political Parties backing it to compile a new voters’ register.
The Coalition which is made up of the NPP and twelve other political parties say the EC’s decision to compile a new voters’ register ahead of the 2020 general elections is necessary.
Addressing the media at a press conference in Accra, General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, John Boadu, said that the monitoring is needed to ensure that the Electoral Commission delivers a free and fair election this year.
“We are also cautioning the Electoral Commission, that the fact that we believe that the enhanced system is good for our electoral process, does not mean that we are going to sleep. We will continue to monitor them. We will continue to monitor whichever vendor that gets the contract and make sure that they deliver to the satisfaction of us all in order to ensure that after December elections all of us will continue to go about our duties without any hindrance from anybody,” he stated.
Coalition of Political Parties
Thirteen political parties made up of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), National Democratic Party (NDP), People’s National Convention (PNC), Convention People’s Party (CPP) the United Progressive Party (UPP), Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), United Love Party (ULP), New Vision Party (NVP), Yes People’s Party (YPP), Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) and the Reformed Patriotic Democrats Party (RDP) believe the EC has made a solid case for a new register in terms of cost, time and credibility.
Addressing the media at a press conference, leader of the Coalition of Political Parties for ‘YES’ to a new register, the LPG’s Kofi Akaploo, called on all other political parties in the country to rally behind the EC to organise a free and fair election.
“The EC has made a solid case for a new register in terms of cost, time and credibility. We support the compilation of new register and we expect all political parties to support the EC in the quest to deliver a better-organised election than before.”
Compilation of new voters register
The Electoral Commission (EC) on 27th March, 2019 announced plans to compile a new voters’ register for the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections following a stakeholders meeting held under the aegis of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC).
However, the news has been a controversial subject in the country with political parties expressing divergent views.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) had kicked against the move.
The party’s General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has said there is no real need for a new register among other changes the commission seeks to introduce in the electoral system.
He also said it would be a waste of resources to buy biometric equipment for the election.
But the EC’s Samuel Tettey said such claims are unfounded.
“The expenses relate to the cost of hiring registration officials and procurement of consumable registration materials. It is worth mentioning that the current administration of the commission is committed to judicious use of state resources for electoral activities,” he said.
Source: citinewsroom.com
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IF EC HAVE TO SATISFY EVERY PARTY INTEREST, THEN THERE WILL BE OVER 30 INTEREST THE EC WOULD HAVE TO SATISFY. EC HAS TO SATISFY ITS OWN INTEREST TO UPHOLD THE INTEGRITY OF ELECTIONS IN GHANA. THOUGH EC MAY TRY TO SEEK THE COOPERATION OF THE PARTIES IT MUST ALWAYS BE THE PARAMOUNT INTEREST TO WORK OUT THE SYSTEM THAT WOULD ENSURE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS. NO ARMED ROBBER WILL EVER BE PLEASED IF THE POLICE BEEF UP SECURITY. THAT SHOULD NOT STOP THE POLICE TO STRENGTHENED ITS NETWORK FOR SECURITY. EVERY PARTY WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANY LACUNA IN THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM TO COMMIT FRAUD. A LOOSING PARTY IN ANY ELECTION WILL WISH TO HAVE A LACUNA EVEN THOUGH IT MAY NOT HAVE THE MONOPOLY TO COMMIT FRAUD. A LOOSING PARTY MAY WISH FOR LACUNA FOR TWO REASONS. FIRST REASON, A LOSING PARTY ALWAYS INVEST HEAVILY IN FRAUD WITH THE HOPE TO CHEAT AND WIN. IF IT SUCCEED TO WIN IT BECOMES OK FOR THEM. SECOND REASON, LOOSING PARTY WISH FOR LACUNA IN ORDER TO COMMIT FRAUD. IF IT LOSES IT DRAWS THE ATTENTION OF THE PUBLIC TO THE LACUNA AND ACCUSE THE WINNER AS EXPLOITING THE LACUNA TO WIN. SO LACUNA ALWAYS BECOME A WIN WIN STRATEGY AT EVERY SIDE FOR LOSERS. LACUNA IS HOWEVER DAMAGING TO THE INTEGRITY OF THE ELECTORAL BODY. IT IS ALWAYS AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE RULING PARTY. FOR EC TO UPHOLD ITS INTEGRITY AND THE RULING PARTY TO AVOID ANY EMBARRASSMENT THE TWO INSTITUTIONS MUST ALWAYS ENSURE TO REMOVE ANY LACUNA IN AN ELECTION. THE LOOSING PARTIES MAY OPPOSE IT AS IT AGAINST THEIR INTEREST BUT EC AND GOVERNING PARTY SHOULD NEVER RELENT.
IF YOU NPP LEADERSHIP SHOULD KOWTOW TO THE ***barred word*** AND UNNECESSARY PRESSURE BY THE NDC ON EC, HEAVENS WOULD NEVER FORGIVE YOU. THEY KNOW THEY STILL HAVE THE SOFTWARE FOR THE COMPROMISED REGISTER. IF NOT WHY ARE THEY AFRAID OF ANOKYE?
No one is going to spare you guys to steal this elections.I am a branch NPP executive in Obuasi and i know NPP will lose so do that tell any lies. I will expose you guys of all your plans because it will bring chaos and i have no place to go than Ghana.
A ***barred word***