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Tag: voters register

  • NDC/EC brouhaha: When the law speaks, all other voices are opinions – Charles Owusu on SC ruling

    The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has announced the end of June 2020 to commence the registration exercise for the compilation of a new voters’ register.

    The exercise was piloted on Tuesday, June 2 to assess their machines and ensure a smooth registration exercise.

    Meanwhile, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has dragged the EC to the Supreme Court praying the court to direct the EC to include “all existing voter identification cards duly issued by the 2nd Defendant (EC) as one of the documents serving as proof of identification for registration as a voter for the purposes of public elections”.

    The party further seeks a proper interpretation of Article 45(a) of the 1992 Constitution, on whether the EC has “the constitutional power to, and can, compile a register of voters only once, and thereafter revise it periodically, as may be determined by law” and also wants a declaration on whether the EC “can only revise the existing register of voters, and lacks the power to prepare a fresh register of voters, for the conduct of the December 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections”.

    Speaking on Peace FM’s ”Kokrokoo” on Friday, the Head of Monitoring Unit at the Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu, has commended the NDC for resorting to the law court to address their grievances.

    He believed the Supreme Court will be the ultimate finality on the NDC and EC brouhaha.

    ”When the law speaks, other voices are opinions. There is nothing we can do…When the court delivers its verdict, let’s all accept and allow the law to take its course”, he said.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • Mark it, there will be no mass registration in Ghana – Eric Adjei swears

    Eric Adjei, a member of the Communication team of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has sworn that the compilation of the New Voters’ register will not be held.

    The NDC and the Inter-Party Resistance Against New Voters’ Register (IPRAN) have been consistently opposed to the idea of compiling a new voters’ register.

    Aside their claim that the EC wants to rig the 2020 elections in favor of the incumbent government, they also argue the register, in its current form, is credible to be used for a general election so long as it has been used for other electoral exercises.

    This notwithstanding, the Electoral Commission (EC) has announced the registration exercise will commence in the middle of June this year.

    The exercise is aimed at compiling a new voters’ register for the 2020 general elections and subsequent Presidential and Parliamentary elections in the country.

    The EC argues there is the need for a new register to replace the current one because the current register is bloated and therefore compiling a new voters’ register will help in eliminating unqualified names to ensure credible elections.

    Eric Adjei contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM ‘Platform’ programme, hosted by Nana Yaw Kesseh openly bragged: There will be no mass registration in this country; there will be no mass registration in Ghana take it from me…mark it on the wall; there will be no mass registration to compile a new register; we are using the existing register for the 2020 elections.”

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • 1,990 applicants registered at the end of voter registration pilot – EC

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has disclosed that a total of 1,990 applicants were registered at the end of a pilot exercise of the Biometric Voter Registration system in all the sixteen (16) regional capitals in the country.

    An EC statement said at the end of the two-day exercise, a total of 1,990 applicants were registered, with 745 applicants registered on day one and 1,245 on day two.

    The table below shows the breakdown of registered applicants by region;

    Challenges in Western Region

    The statement said the exercise went on smoothly at all the designated centres, except in the Western region where the BVR Kit developed a fault on the second day.

    “This led to the suspension of the Exercise in the Western region but afforded the Commission the opportunity to test its inbuilt processes of dealing with equipment breakdowns during the registration process,” the statement said.

    “The lessons learnt from this investigation will further improve the Commission’s response to such occurrences.

    The EC further disclosed that Western Region had the highest number of registered applicants (73) on the first day of the pilot while the Volta Region and Ahafo Region had the highest number of applicants registered with 105 each on the second day.

    Confidence

    Consequently, the EC says it remains confident of registering over 13 million applicants within the first 21 days of the mass registration exercise.

    “Using the expected improved performance on the second day, the average number of registrants registered per day was 83 registrants. This metric is expected to only get better. We aim to register over 100 applicants per kit per day, as was attained by some regions during the pilot. At that level of performance and with the continued participation of the Ghanaian public, the Commission is confident of registering some 13 million plus applicants within the first 21 days of the mass registration exercise.

    “The Commission is satisfied with the exercise and will use the lessons learnt to improve upon the conduct of the upcoming Voter Registration Exercise”.

    Essence of pilot

    The EC says the essence of the exercise conducted between June 2-3 was to evaluate the preparedness of the Commission for the upcoming Voter Registration Exercise.

    Amongst the metrics that were tested were the efficiency of the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits and its adaptability to various operating conditions in various parts of the country.

    The Commission also took the opportunity to evaluate the various mitigation measures it has put in place to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 disease during the registration period. Political Party representatives were present at each of the centres to observe the exercise.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • NDC’s George Loh on why he participated in EC’s pilot voter registration

    Former Member of Parliament for North Dayi on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr George Loh has explained that he participated in the Electoral Commission’s pilot voter registration exercise on Tuesday to be sure of how the exercise was ongoing.

    There have been concerns that even though the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was opposed to the new register, it was preparing its members to get ready to register.

    On social media, some have said Mr Loh’s participation in the pilot exercise was a move which, was not in consonance with the position of the NDC.

    But Mr Loh in a radio interview with Accra based Citi FM on Tuesday evening said his participation in the exercise does not change the position of the NDC.

    He disagreed with the suggestion that his action was hypocritical to the party’s position.

    Mr Loh is currently the Volta Regional Vice Chairman of the NDC.

    He participated in the pilot voter registration exercise in the Electoral Commission’s office Ho on Tuesday.

     

    Asked in the radio interview if his action was not something that indicates he has abandoned his party in the cold in relation to the fight against the new voters register Mr Loh said:

    “I do not believe that I have said anywhere or our party the National Democratic Congress [NDC] has said anywhere that we have abandoned our position or we have changed our position towards the compliation of a new voters register.”

    “We have remained resolute that it is not a wise decision for the EC to say at this time, that they are going to compile a new voters register. and so it is untrue if anybody says that anybody in the NDC, let alone me, George Loh has abandoned our party’s position.”

    He said there was no need to mix the issues because the NDC has not said anywhere that it was abandoning voting in Election 2020 and that the party has said that “at best the EC’s option should be a limited registration and not a compilation of a new voters register.

    “If it is time for limited registration, the EC will use the system, won’t they? And so if they are piloting what they say are new machines don’t we deserve to know what kind of things they are doing and if there are any hanky panky games we prepare ourselves? So clearly, this thing is funny and all those doing mischief with it should better stop because the card that is being showcased is a dummy card, I cannot use it in any election.”

    “So nobody should walk around with their minds thinking that, yes some people have acquired cards and they are going to participate in the voting that is going to happen in the compilation of a new voters register. This card given me has nothing to do with the new voters register, it is only a pilot of a system they say they are bringing, and some of us wanted to be sure, that yes.”

    Mr Loh said as a Regional Vice Chairman in the Volta Region, he has a responsibility to ensure that proper things are done in the region and that he was called by the Regional Chairman to go and see what was happening there [EC office] and “I went, and so it is part of my official duty to ensure, and I didn’t go alone, I went with other officers of the party. But I am saying that as a party, we deserve the right to know what is happening at all material times.”

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • EC pilots new voters’ registration exercise

    The Electoral Commission has kicked off a pilot exercise on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in all 16 regional capitals in the country.

    In a statement, the EC said the essence of the exercise being conducted in all the regional offices of the Commission, is meant to identify problems associated with the new biometric registration system, including its effect under various weather conditions and find ways of mitigating them.

    The EC says “all issues identified will be forwarded to the Commission at the national level for the necessary rectifications to be made before the commencement of the exercise at the end of this month.”

    “All Ghanaian citizens of 18 years and above and of sound mind are expected to register where they reside when the exercise begins; with either a Ghanaian passport or Ghana card as proof of identification or have two guarantors who have already registered as voters so they can register.”

    “Safety measures will be put in place at all registration centres throughout the country to protect applicants, who are mandated to wear nose masks to the registration centres,” it stated.

    The Commission has therefore appealed to all Ghanaians for their cooperation to make the upcoming exercise successful.

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • Residents relying on people to vouch for them unable to register in EC pilot exercise

    Some persons who tried to participate in the ongoing pilot registration exercise of the Electoral Commission in Tamale are unable to go through the process.

    These are mostly persons who wanted others to vouch for their nationality as Ghanaians.

    EC officials explain the situation is as a result of difficulty in imputing the information of persons who vouch for others.

    The Northern Regional Director of the Commission, Lucas Yiryeli told journalists the situation has to do with difficulty in accessing the software which is supposed to process the information.

    “It is a technical challenge we are facing here and it has to do with a software which we have communicated to our superiors in Accra.”

    The nationwide pilot exercise is expect to end on Wednesday June 3 in parts of the country.

     

    Source: 3 News

  • Don’t misquote Mac Manu, NPP isn’t against new voters’ register – John Boadu

    The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu has jumped to the defence of the party’s campaign manager for 2020 elections, Peter Mac Manu, over the latter’s recent comments regarding election rigging claims against the party.

    The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), through its National Chairman Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, holds that the EC’s decision to use the Ghana card and passport as the legal documents for registering eligible Ghanaians into a new voters’ register is a ploy to skew the December polls in favour of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    The NDC strongly opposes the EC saying the Commission wants to disenfranchise 11 million Ghanaians in order to rig the elections for the incumbent government.

    Reacting to the NDC claims, Mr Peter Mac Manu emphasized that the governing party has no interest in rigging the elections and is not conspiring with the EC to perpetrate such crime.

    He stressed that, with or without a new voters’ register, the NPP will win the elections because they have a solid track record and so doesn’t need the EC’s help.

    ”We do not need the EC to rig the elections in our favour. NPP will win the election based on our soundtrack record . . . This is because the Ghanaian electorate has confidence in the ruling NPP government since President Akufo-Addo had shown leadership and sought the welfare of the ordinary Ghanaian over the period of his tenure,” he said.

    Mr Mac Manu’s comments attracted the attention of seasoned journalist Kwesi Pratt, who speaking on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, questioned why the NPP is advocating for a new voters’ register if their Campaign Manager has no worries over the old register.

    Mr Pratt believes it is baseless for the NPP to support the EC’s decision to compile a new register if the party will win the elections with or without it.

    Speaking on the same programme, the party’s General Secretary sought to correct the misconception created by Kwesi Pratt that the NPP Campaign Manager is against the new voters’ register.

    John Boadu told host Kwami Sefa Kayi that Kwesi Pratt’s interpretation of Mr Mac Manu’s response is misleading.

    According to him, nowhere did Mr Mac Manu make a comment that the NPP supports the old register, therefore clarifying that Mr Mac Manu was rather pointing out to the opposition party that the NPP will win the 2020 elections based on their performance.

    “It doesn’t mean Mac Manu is against the compilation of a new register. Mac Manu didn’t say using the old register will make the elections credible. He didn’t say that and don’t misquote him,” John Boadu charged.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • Ghana card, voter registrations to resume as president lifts restrictions

    The controversial registration exercises by the Electoral Commission (EC) and the National Identification Authority (NIA) will soon resume following the easing of restrictions on public and social gatherings by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    In his 10th televised address to the nation on the Coronavirus pandemic, on Sunday, May 31, the president urged institutions to adhere to safety protocols in their activities.

    “…Constitutional and statutory bodies such as the Electoral Commission (EC), the National Commission for Civic Education, and the National Identification Authority, whose activities were exempted from the outset from these restrictions, must conduct their activities in accordance with social distancing and the necessary hygiene and safety protocols,” the president said.

    The president on March 15, banned all public gatherings including conferences, workshops, funerals, festivals, political rallies, church activities, and other related events as part of measures to stop the spread of the novel Coronavirus (SARS-COV-2), in the country.

    The National Identification Authority (NIA) which was organising its Ghana Card registration exercise at the time was compelled to suspend the exercise.

    The NIA which was registering residents in the Eastern Region, the only region left for them to complete their nationwide registration exercise, is expected under this new presidential directive to complete that task by mid-June.

    The EC has said that it will use data from the NIA to compile the register.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • How EC will embark on new voter registration exercise in 5 clusters [VIDEO]

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that it will embark on the new voters’ registration exercise in five clusters.

    The Director of Electoral Services at the EC, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe told Graphic Online that the exact date for the registration exercise would be announced later but it is expected to start in the last week of June 2020.

    He said the commission has planned to use 38 days for the entire exercise and that it was targetting between 16million and 16.5million people to register.

    About 8500 BVRs are expected to be used for the exercise.

     

    “This time around we are using five registration centres per a cluster. So assuming you have 15 polling stations, you divide the 15 by five, so that you have 10 clusters. And each cluster will form one registration team and each team will be made up of two registration officers, two data entry clerks, one registration officer special duties, he will be in charge of commuting between the team and the district office as well as exporting data and the rest, then we will have the laminator,” Dr Quaicoe said.

    “So each phase for the five,… will last for six days. So what it means is that the registration officers will go to the first phase of the five polling station centre in that cluster. So when they go to the first cluster, they will be there for six days, and when they are there for six days, on the 7th day, they will rest due to the rush and interaction and then they will move to the next registration centre in the second phase for another six days and one day to retool and then they will go to the third phase…,” he added.

    Dr Quacoe explained [Watch the video below] that there will be three days for a mop-up after the exercise.

    Graphic Online understands that at Wednesday’s IPAC meeting, the EC said all was set for the deployment of the new biometric voter registration technology which will lead to the compilation of the new voters’ register.

    In line with the requirements of the law, political parties will be informed of the exact date not later than 21 days before the start of the exercise after the Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) which is currently before Parliament matures.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • What document proves nationality better than birth certificate? – Kwesi Pratt questions EC

    Seasoned Journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., has expressed his profound disappointment in the Electoral Commission (EC) over its decision to use the Ghana card and Ghanaian passport as the only legal documents for the compilation of a new voters’ register.

    The Electoral Commission has laid before Parliament to amend Constitutional Instrument (C.I) 91 to use only the Ghana card and the passport for the registration exercise, which means NHIS card and driver’s licence holders are not eligible to register their names, except they provide the two legitimized documents.

    The EC has justified their decision saying their approach will help to eliminate unqualified names and ensure a credible register.

    The Commission has also assured Ghanaians of a free and fair election this year.

     

    Kwesi Pratt Jnr is however dissatisfied with the EC’s decision, asking why the Commission is not adding the birth certificate to the requirements for the registration.

    Mr. Pratt explained on ‘Kokrokoo’ on Peace FM that the birth certificate is a legitimate requirement for the processing of a passport in Ghana, and so if the EC is ready to accept the passport, then they should equally allow birth certificate holders to participate in the exercise.

    ”What document proves nationality better than the birth certificate? But here it is that you can’t use your birth certificate to do the registration. What is the meaning of that?” he questioned the EC.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • Current voters’ register is the most ‘credible’ since 1992 – Kabila

    Acting General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), James Kwabena Bomfeh, also called Kabila, says the current voters’ register is creditable to be used for the 2020 elections.

    According to Kabila, any attempts to discredit the register is unacceptable because the register cannot be said to be tainted.

    Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ programme, Kabila explained that it was the same register that has since 1992 produced Presidents for the country and that, to him, “what is really wrong with the country’s electoral system is the biometric data equipment which needs an upgrading.”

    He noted that the credibility of the register shouldn’t be undermined by proponents for a new voters’ register and that they should be measured in their claims against the current register.

    “To discredit the register we presently have is not sustainable. The register we have used since 1992, none can compare in terms of credibility to what we had under the biometric system. I therefore plead with those who are for the new system to be measured in supporting their claims by veering into an attempt to appear that the register we have is discredited. It is not!” the CPP acting General Secretary strongly held.

    Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission says it will go ahead with the compilation of a new voters’ register and assured all Ghanaians and stakeholders in the electoral process of the Commission’s “determination to deliver free, fair and credible Presidential and Parliamentary Elections on December 7, 2020 as mandated by law”.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • New Register: ‘We’re waiting for their worst’ – Ken Agyapong dares NDC

    NPP Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has said there is no way the country will be thrown into civil war if the Electoral Commission continues to compile a new voters’ register amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    According to him no one is afraid of Maj. Rtd Osahene Kojo Boakye Djan with his continuous constant threats of civil war and anarchy.

    “…No one is afraid of Boakye Djan…if he plays the law will take action . . . let us see the anarchy,” Ken Agyapong fired.

    “…We will do the right thing for the country, we will go ahead with the voters’ register…the NDC is speaking as if they are in power, but they have forgotten that they are not in power…we are waiting for them to destroy this country; we are not afraid of them,” said Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyepong.

    He was reacting to the controversies surrounding the compilation of a new voters’ register and comments by Maj. Rtd Kojo Boakye Djan that there could be civil unrest should the Electoral Commission (EC) continue with the impending voter register compilation.

    The Assin Central MP was speaking in an interview with Hello FM in Kumasi.

    NPP & EC leading Ghana into civil war

    Major Osahene Boakye Gyan (rtd) is warning of impending doom should the Electoral Commission connive with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rig the upcoming December polls.

    The former military officer accused the EC of gradually leading the country into a civil war with its bull-headedness, particularly regarding the decision to compile a new voters register.

    If they want civil war, they will get it!

    The former military capo strongly held that the country can go to the polls this year without resort to putting together a new register as was done in 2016.

    Sounding a note of caution, he pointed out that most electoral disputes in Africa have resulted in civil wars and Ghana is not immune to it, and warned that “should the EC continue to toe the line of their paymasters, it will certainly spell doom for this country.”

    Source: Peace FM

  • Voters register: Nunoo-Mensah blasts ‘troublesome’ NDC

    Brigadier General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah, a former Chief of Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces has chastised the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for being ‘troublesome’.

    “The people have already intended to be troublesome and it’s bad; it’s sad,” he said in reaction to the hullabaloo surrounding a new voters’ register.

    The former National Security Advisor to the late Prof. John Evans Atta Mills was speaking in a one-on-one interview on Me Man Nti programme on Neat FM said there is no way President Akufo-Addo will do anything to jeopardize this country and that since he is the President, he should be allowed to make decisions in the interest of the country.

    “Akufo-Addo is not going to do anything which will harm Ghana . . . So why should the NDC fight him over a new voters’ register? I don’t think Akufo-Addo will intentionally do anything that will harm the country. Is he not a Ghanaian?”

    According to him, “compiling a new voters’ register should not be a source of tension”.

    “Why should I raise hell over a new voters’ register? We need to stop it. If you are a bad person, you suspect every other person is also bad . . . we should think Ghana first,” he added.

    Meanwhile, the largest opposition NDC has accused two bodies: National Identification Authority (NIA) and the Electoral Commission (EC) of conniving to disenfranchise Ghanaian youths all in a bid to rig the elections in favour of the ruling NPP government.

    EC’s Denial

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has denied claims by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the Commission is plotting to rig the 2020 elections in favour of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    In a press statement signed by its acting Director of Public Affairs, Mrs Sylvia Annor, the EC described the allegations as a calculated attempt by the NDC to tarnish the image of the Commission.

    “It is impossible for the Commission to conspire with any political party or institution as is being speculated by Mr Ofosu-Ampofo and the NDC since the electoral process remains transparent at all levels,” the EC said.

    NIA not conspiring with EC

    The National Identification Authority (NIA) has reacted to the allegation by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) that it was conspiring with the Electoral Commission (EC) to rig the 2020 general elections in favour of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    The NIA in a press statement on Friday challenged the NDC to provide evidence to support the allegation.

    “NIA is not part of the election management architecture in Ghana. There is no conspiracy between NIA and EC to rig the 2020 elections. Election rigging is a serious criminal matter with dire political, economic and social consequences for any nation.

    “Any person, party or institution alleging such a criminal conspiracy has a duty to report same to the police and provide the requisite evidence to support investigations and/or prosecution,” the NIA said.

    Source: Peace FM

  • New Register: Leave EC to do its work – Agyapa Mercer tells Mahama

    Andrew Agyapa Mercer has urged former President John Dramani Mahama and his NDC members to desist from dictating to the Electoral Commission(EC) because it will never under any circumstance work with their advice.

    Speaking on UTV’s ‘Adekye Nsroma’ newspaper discussion programme, he specifically in reference to former President Mahama stated: “leave the EC to perform it’s mandatory duties per the rules of law binding it, just like you told us during your days in office, no amount of words or advice from you will change their decision taken towards the 2020 general elections.”

    According to him the EC is a mandatory body and as such knows what is best for their office.

    “So whether it will compile a new voters register, validation or limited registration to clean the existing voters register to be fit for the 2020 elections, it is not the task of the NDC to decide . . . they should keep their perfect decisions for better policies towards the 2020 elections,” Agyapa Mercer stated.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • New Voters’ Register could start by May – John Boadu

    The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu, says the new Voter’s Register is a necessity.

    He believes this is the only way to ensure Ghana has a credible 2020 general elections.

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has shelved plans of compiling a new Voters’ Register due to the novel coronavirus.

    Mr Boadu, however, believes that if the pandemic slows down, the Electoral Commission (EC) should be able to devise a means of conducting this exercise by the end of May.

    “There is no way we won’t have a new Voters’ Register, by end of May if the burden comes down then the EC can devise ways of ensuring they do what they are mandated to do in a way that will not put the lives of people at risk”

    The EC initially scheduled April 18, 2020, for the compilation of the new voters’ register ahead of the December 2020 elections but following the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus in the country it was postponed and a new date has not been announced.

    They have on several occasions explained that Ghana needs a new Voters’ Register because it wants to ensure that the register that is used on the election day is more credible and efficient than the existing one hence the need for a new Biometric Voter Management System (BVMS).

    The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have also voiced their displeasure at the move to compile a new Voters’ register and believe the current register is fit for the purpose.

     

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • EC may postpone voter registration exercise John Boadu

    The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu has disclosed that the Electoral Commission (EC) may postpone the upcoming voter registration exercise slated for April 18, 2020.

    He made this known when he spoke to journalists after emerging from an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting held by the EC Wednesday, March 25, 2020.

    Mr Boadu said it emerged at the meeting that the exercise scheduled for April 18 was tentative and likely to change.

    Mr Boadu was among the first group to participate in the meeting, which consisted of NPP, NDC, CPP, PPP, PNC, LPG, GCPP, and GUM.

    The second category comprising EGLE, UFP, GFP, NDP, APC, UPP and PUP are currently in the meeting.

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • NDC sues EC, AG over voter registration

    The National Democratic Congress(NDC) has sued the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Attorney General (AG) at the Supreme Court praying the court for a declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution, specifically article 51 read conjointly with article 42 of the Constitution, the power of the 2nd Defendant to compile and review the voters register must be exercised subject to respect for and the protection of the right to vote.

    A declaration that, upon a true and proper interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution, particularly article 42, upon the registration of and issuance of a voter identification card to a person, that person has an accrued right to vote which cannot be divested in an arbitrary and capricious manner.

    A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution, particularly Article 42 of the Constitution, all existing voter identification cards duly issued by the 2nd Defendant to registered voters are valid for purposes of identifying such persons in the exercise of their right to vote.

    A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of the Constitution, specifically Article 42, the 2nd Defendants purported amendment of Regulation 1 sub-regulation 3 of the Public Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, 2016 (C.I 91) through the Public Elections (Registration of Voters) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 to exclude existing voter identification cards as proof of identification to enable a person apply for registration as a voter is unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

    They also want the Defendant to include all existing voter identification cards duly issued by the 2nd Defendant as one of the documents serving as proof of identification for registration as a voter for the purposes of public elections; Any other order or orders as this Honorable Court would deem fit in the circumstances.

     

    Source: kingdomfmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: How the Electoral Commission plans to curb spread during voter registration

    The Electoral Commission of Ghana says it will institute measures to ensure that the compilation of the new voters’ register goes ahead in the face of the threat from the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    A release issued by the EC on Tuesday, denied media reports that the compilation of the new voters’ register has been cancelled due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Ghana, adding that a new date for the registration will be announced.

     

    The EC says it will institute concrete measures including providing sanitizers at all polling stations and “providing a conducive atmosphere at all registration centres so as to protect its stakeholders from the virus…”.

    “The Electoral Commission has noted with concern, information in sections of the media to the effect that the compilation of the New Voters’ Register has been cancelled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in the country,” the EC said in a press release signed by its Acting Director, Public Affairs, Mrs Sylvia Annoh.

    “The Commission wishes to state that the compilation of the New Voters Register has not been cancelled. Plans are far advanced for the successful take-off of the registration process.

    “In view of the ban imposed on public gatherings by His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, a new date for the registration will be announced in due course”.

    The EC’s release comes days after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced a four-week ban on all gatherings.

    Measures

    The EC plans to provide sanitizers at all registration centres as part of measures to curb the spread of the virus which has claimed the lives of thousands across the globe.

    “The Commission wishes to assure the general public that it is taking the necessary steps to guarantee the safety of the citizenry and safeguard them from the virus. In this regard, the Electoral Commission will put in place concrete measures including providing sanitizers at all polling stations and providing a conducive atmosphere at all registration centres so as to protect its stakeholders from the virus among others,” the release said.

     

    “The public is entreated to prepare for the upcoming Voters’ Registration exercise”.

    Background

    The government of Ghana suspended all public gatherings in the country following the outbreak of Coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) in Ghana as of Saturday, March 14, 2020.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made this known in a televised national address Sunday night [March 15, 2020].

    He said the new directives follows an earlier meeting of Inter-Ministerial Committee on Coronavirus response which he chaired and it deliberated on the issues.

    “I have decided, in the interest of public safety and protection of our population, to review the public gathering advisories earlier announced.”

    He said among the gatherings suspended are church services, weddings, funerals, other social gatherings.

    Read the entire release below;

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • EC will not accept old voters ID cards for new registration

    The Electoral Commission (EC) will not accept old voters ID cards as a primary form of identification in the new registration exercise planned for April 2020.

    This will be enforced if the new proposal for amendment in the legislation for the registration currently before Parliament becomes law.

    The EC on Monday (March 16) sent a proposal to Parliament for an amendment in the Constitutional Instrument 91 (CI) which guides the conduct of elections in Ghana.

    In the new proposal the EC is seeking an amendment in Regulation 1, which talks about documents to be accepted as a form of identification as a Ghanaian before registration.

    The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and the Majority Leader in Parliament, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu made this known in a radio interview with Okay FM on Wednesday morning (March 18, 2020).

    He said if it becomes law, the only primary documents to be accepted for registration would either be a Ghanaian passport or a Ghana national identification card (Ghana Card).

    It excludes birth certificates

    Anyone who does not have any of those two documents would have to get people to vouch for them that they are indeed Ghanaians before they will be registered.

    Per the move, anyone holding an old voters ID card issued from 2012 till date cannot use it to register.

    This is because of the assumption that some people used national health insurance (NHIS) ID cards for the initial registration which has been outlawed by the Supreme Court and the EC ordered to remove names of people who used it to register.

    Even though the EC before the 2016 general elections removed names of those who registered with the NHIS cards as their primary form of identification, Graphic Online understands there is still arguments in some political circles that there are some names still in the current register.

    more to follow ….

     

    Source: Peacefmonline.com

  • COVID-19: CEGA calls for postponement of compilation of new voter register

    The Centre for Ethical Governance and Administration (CEGA) has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana to suspend the compilation of the new Voters Register in the outbreak of the Coronavirus in the country.

    Ghana has so far recorded six cases of Covid 19.

    The EC is set to roll out registration for the compilation of a new voter register on Saturday, April 18 2020.

    In a statement dated Monday, 16 March 2020, the CEGA said it has received information that: “some of the vendors and equipment contracted by the Electoral Commission are coming from Europe, where the Coronavirus infection has been declared a pandemic, in this regard the Electoral Commission is being called upon not to take any steps that will jeopardise the life of any single Ghanaian in the pursuit of their entrenched position in re-registering Ghanaians into the new but needless Voters Register.”

    The Centre also noted that “Some Ghanaians living outside Ghana would have preferred travelling to their various polling stations in Ghana to be registered” however, with the “current pandemic nature of the Coronavirus infections almost all flights have been cancelled denying these Ghanaians the opportunity to register and fulfill their civic responsibility of voting .

    “It will also be medically unsafe for Ghanaians abroad seeking to be registered to come to Ghana. This means that the intended Registration Exercise will exclude many Ghanaians living outside and even those within the country will not find it safe to join long queues which will result in body direct contact to register.”

    It also emphasised measures announced by government to control the spread of the Coronavirus infection and called on the “Electoral Commissioner to cancel the impending registration exercise and the National Identification Authority to immediately freeze all registration activities until it is medically safe and serves the public good.

    CEGA continued that: “the President, government officials and individuals who travelled to Norway and other European countries recently should immediately stop all public engagements and proceed on a self-quarantine in the public interest.”

    It further continued that: “it has noted with despair and anguish that, soon upon arrival in Ghana, the entire government machinery including most of the officials who returned recently from Norway moved to Kumasi to celebrate the National Independence Day on 6th March 2020.

    CEGA also called on the Ministry of Health “to expand their contact tracking to Kumasi in a bid to properly contain the virus” and on “all Political Parties” to take the necessary steps to prevent any crowd activities to protect their members from being infected with the virus and for all media houses to “take steps to make sure all their workers are protected and equipment such as microphones used by staff and the public are absolutely safe for use at all times.”

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Gamey offers mediation between EC, opposition parties over new voters’ register tension

    The Gamey & Co ADR Centre has to mediate between the Electoral Commission (EC) and the opposition political parties on the proposed new voters’ register which has generated controversy and political tension in Ghana.

    The organisation is of the view that if not handled with care and professionally, the impasse would disturb the peace and security of Ghana.

    A statement issued and signed by the Chairman of Gamey & Co ADR Centre, Mr Austin Gamey said: “We offer mediation as our corporate social responsibility to mother Ghana and trust that the Electoral Commission and the concerned parties who are interested in a peaceful electoral process would accept the mediation intervention.”

    It added: “As a result of the position taken by the Electoral Commission and the opposing political parties on the proposed new voters register, controversy and political tension has been generated in the country and if not handled with much care, the impasse has the potential of disturbing, the peace and security of the nation.”

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • NDC walks out of Electoral Commission’s technical meeting on new voters register

    The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Thursday walked out of a meeting called by the Electoral Commission (EC) for technical persons of the political parties and the commission in relation to the plan for a new voters register.

    The NDC argued that the letter inviting them to the meeting did not have an agenda, but when they arrived at the meeting Thursday, it was made clear to them that the decision to have a new voters register, had already been made.

    The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Thursday walked out of a meeting called by the Electoral Commission (EC) for technical persons of the political parties and the commission in relation to the plan for a new voters register.

    The NDC argued that the letter inviting them to the meeting did not have an agenda, but when they arrived at the meeting Thursday, it was made clear to them that the decision to have a new voters register, had already been made.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Many Ghanaians favour new voters’ register for 2020 polls UG survey

    A survey conducted by the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana has suggested that six out of 10 Ghanaians are in favour of new voters’ register for the 2020 elections.

    According to the department, many of the respondents believe a new register will ensure the credibility of the polls.

    According to the report, 27,500 were interviewed across the 16 regions.

    The survey comes in the wake of the standoff between some political parties and the electoral commission over attempt by the commission to create a new register

    The reasons given by the respondent for a new register are as follows:

    1. To remove deceased names

    2. To detect foreign names

    3. To get a credible register

    In the Volta Region, 1,800 were polled 54% were for yes 45% were for no while Ashanti Region 4,707 were polled 74.2% were for yes 25% were for no.

    The margin of error for the entire exercise was 1%.

     

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • New Voters’ Register: Sammy Awuku to defect to NDC

    The National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sammy Awuku, has suggested that he will join the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) if they are bold to boycott the registration exercise set to take place on April 18, 2020.

    He said since the NDC is determined to resist the EC’s decision to compile a new voters’ register at all cost, “they should adopt a principle of asking their members to stay away from the registration exercise; that is one of the things that can woo me to the NDC . . . they oppose everything and if we will follow the NDC, we will wear pampers instead of pants.”

    He was reacting to a recently held meeting between the EC, its Eminent Advisory Committee, IPAC, and other stakeholders when he appeared on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’.

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has set April 18, 2020, as the date for the compilation of the new voters’ register despite agitations from the opposition NDC and other political parties under the name Inter-Party Resistance Against a New Voters’ Register (IPRNA).

     

     

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Only a corrupt government will justify EC’s budget for new voters’ register Sammy Gyamfi

    National Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi has described as corrupt every supporter of the Electoral Commission’s decision to compile a new voter’ register.

    He said the amount of money being ‘injected’ into the compilation of a new register is a bit on the high side, therefore whoever backs it is ‘corrupt’.

    The EC’s decision has generated lots of controversies with the ruling government advocating in favour of it and the NDC and other opposition parties, against.

    The Inter-Party Resistance Against New Voter Register (IPRAN) of which the NDC is part of, has sworn to resist the EC’s decision insisting that there is nothing wrong with the current register.

    On Thursday, the EC and its Eminent Advisory Committee (EAC), as well as the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) and other stakeholders, held a meeting to bring an end to the debate but it ended inconclusively.

    Speaking to this on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, Sammy Gyamfi said they are still not convinced.

    He further added that “it is only a corrupt government and people who will justify the budget put forward by the EC for a new voters’ register.”

     

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • EC begins exhibition of voters register today

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has begun a nationwide exhibition of the voters register today.

    The exhibition exercise which starts today, September 10, 2019, is expected to end on Tuesday, September 17, 2019.

    Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr Bossman Asare in a press conference stated that this “exhibition exercise is to allow for prospective voters verify if their details (names, age, sex, etc were properly captured during the registration exercise and make requests for amendments or insertions where necessary”.

    Read:166,000 new voters registered in Greater Accra

    He further said work starts from 7am to 6pm each day including Saturdays and Sundays, entreating the public to visit any of the 3,702 polling stations to do these cross-checks.

    Dr Bossman Asare noted that this exhibition exercise underway has the compilation of 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019 voters registers.

    He, therefore, urged the public to show keen interest in the exercise so the EC can update and produce a credible voters register for the upcoming District level elections.

    Read:Limited Voters Registration exercise fraught with massive challenges NDC

    However, a referendum is to be carried out to equally “allow political parties to participate in local level elections by sponsoring and campaigning for district-level elections candidates”.

    “Most people are of the view that the referendum is on the election of MMDCEs. The amendment of Article 243(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana will allow for the election of MMDCEs by citizens…this upcoming referendum is on to amend Article 55(3) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana to introduce a multi-party system of elections at the local level”, Mr Asare said.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com