The opposition National Democratic Congress Minority Caucus in Parliament has vowed that it would oppose any attempt by the Electoral Commission of Ghana to implement any reforms ahead of the 2024 general elections.
In a passionate address to Members of Parliament during the welcoming session for the fourth session of the eighth Parliament, the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, expressed strong reservations and concerns over recent decisions announced by the Electoral Commission of Ghana.
The key issues raised by the Minority Leader revolve around the elimination of indelible ink from the electoral process and proposed changes to the date of the upcoming general elections by the Electoral Commission of Ghana.
The Ajumako-Enyan Essiam Legislator vehemently criticized the Electoral Commission’s decision to eliminate indelible ink from the electoral process, and further argued that the decision if implemented would go a long way to undermine the country’s electoral process.
According to the Minority Leader, the indelible ink has been a crucial and time-tested method for ensuring the transparency, credibility, and integrity of elections in Ghana, hence the proposal by the Electoral Commission to replace it with biometric verification is untenable.
“Mr. Speaker, let me shift my attention to some very important issues which have consequences on our elections and ramifications for the peace and security of our dear country.
“The announcement by the Electoral Commission that, it is doing away with indelible ink from the electoral process must be of great concern to all of us in this chamber. Rt. Hon. Speaker, this announcement by the Electoral Commission constitutes an attack on the integrity of Ghana’s electoral process and poses a great danger for our country”.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
The Minority Leader further asserted that the use of indelible ink adds an extra layer of verification, preventing multiple voting and fostering confidence in the electoral system, hence there is no need for the Electoral Commission to replace it.
Dr. Forson also underscored the importance of indelible ink in identifying those who have cast their ballots and preventing electoral fraud.
“The fact that Biometric Verification Device is part of our electoral process is not good enough reason for the Electoral Commission to do away with indelible ink. This is because when Biometric Verification Device fails, indelible ink on a voter’s finger provides the surest way to identify a person who has already voted’.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
Minority Objects To EC’s November 7 Election Date Proposal
Moreover, the Minority leader and Member of Parliament for Ajumako Enyan- Essiam Constituency expressed his opposition to the Electoral Commission’s proposal to change the date for the 2024 general elections from December 7 to November 7.
Dr. Forson firmly stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority Caucus in Parliament would not support any such change at this time.
According to him, there are more pressing issues that demand the immediate attention of the Electoral Commission, such as the release of the election calendar for 2024 rather than a change in the date of the December 7 polls.
Dr. Forson insisted that any decision to alter the election date should be preceded by comprehensive and meaningful reforms, undertaken in consultation with political parties, faith-based organizations, and other interest groups.
“Rt. Hon. Speaker, again with general elections on the horizon, the Electoral Commission and those behind it have announced their intention to change the date for this year’s general election from December to November. Let me say it here and now that the NDC Minority Caucus in Parliament will not support any such change at this time”.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
In addition, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson recounted the inconvenience and financial burden placed on Members of Parliament and political parties during the limited voter registration exercise, where first-time voters were restricted to registering only at Electoral Commission offices and stressed that the Minority Caucus in Parliament would not allow the Electoral Commission to railroad in it proposal to make such reforms ahead of the December 7 polls.
The Minority Leader, however, pledged that if the Electoral Commission initiates post-2024 election reforms in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, the National Democratic Congress Minority Caucus in Parliament might reconsider its position on changing the election date.
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