President Akufo-Addo has disclosed to the Electoral Commission (EC) that every single decision it takes concerning the upcoming 2024 elections will be scrutinized to the letter.
According to him, the EC must ensure that the elections in 2024 is free, credible, and fair. He revealed that a credible election will help Ghana consolidate its democratic credentials.
President Akufo-Addo further charged that the electoral management body should not be intimidated by pressure from political parties in exacting its duties.
“Remember that now and ever, every single decision you take will be scrutinized to the letter. That, however, should not scare you and let no one try to coerce you into submission. On the contrary, let this expectation of the Ghanaian people spur you onto great heights and above all, work to ensure that, the will of the Ghanaian people is upheld.”
President Akufo-Addo
Furthermore, President Akufo-Addo tasked the EC to ensure no Ghanaian is denied his or her right to vote. He explained that the right of voters must be preserved and respected at all times.
“It is no secret that I have spent most of my adult life trying to fight for the establishment of democracy and human rights in this country and I have always fought and advocated for credible elections in Ghana. In emphasizing the importance of the credibility of elections, it must be pointed out that the counting, collation and declaration of the results, cannot and should not be more important than the sacred God-given rights of the citizen casting his or her ballot.”
President Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo’s statement comes amidst the controversy surrounding the Electoral Commission’s processes to lay a Constitutional Instrument (C.I) which makes the Ghana Card the sole identification document for voter registration.
Despite this move by the EC, the Minority has rejected the move. It has revealed that until issues surrounding the proposition are addressed satisfactorily, they will remain in opposition to it.
EC urged to abandon plans to use Ghana Card
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to abandon plans to use the Ghana Card as the sole document for voter registration. The party revealed that the EC must comply with calls from civil society organizations and well-meaning Ghanaians to ensure the maintenance of the guarantor system in the electoral identification system.
“Why would the EC insist on making the Ghana Card the sole document for registration of voters when the National Identity Register law allows for the guarantor system as an identification mechanism?
“In the interest of our democracy and development, the Jean Mensa-led EC should for once agree with the opposition NDC, Civil Society Organizations, and other well-meaning Ghanaians including the venerable Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Ghana’s longest-serving former Chairman of the Electoral Commission and foremost authority on electoral issues, who insists that the guarantor system must be maintained in our electoral system.”
NDC
The NDC emphasized that the National Identity Registration law allows for the guarantor system as an identification mechanism, so the EC must follow suit.
Some civil society groups, the minority and individuals including former EC boss Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, and member of parliament for Assin Central Kennedy Agyapong have raised concerns about the new C.I seeking to make the Ghana card the only proof of nationality for voter registration.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin had prior to this equally warned the EC on the C.I, urging the EC to forget laying the new C.I in parliament if it fails to meet the leadership of the House to iron out issues.
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