Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has expressed reservations harbored by the minority in parliament to reject the Constitutional Instrument (CI) proposed by the Electoral Commission to make the Ghana Card the only document for voters registration.
According to him, government does not have the financial wherewithal to make such commitments. He expressed his misgiving that for a government which is unable to pay bondholders, provide furniture for 2.3 million pupils, incapable of addressing Senior High Schools congestion, “unable to clear NaBCo arrears and unable to fulfill promises to COVID frontliners” is suddenly giving Ghana Card assurances worth a staggering GHC1.4 billion.
“When will some politicians learn that delivering on the people’s needs and real expectations are the only saving grace and that unscrupulous mafia electoral manipulation doesn’t work? The NDC Caucus in Parliament means every word when we say: there shall be no new CI!”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Mr Ablakwa’s statement followed the decision by the Electoral Commission to use the Ghana Card as the sole document for voters registration exercise for elections.
Meanwhile, the Chair of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, has disclosed to Parliament that the use of the Ghana Card as the sole identification document for voter registration will ensure a credible voter roll.
Commenting on the Constitutional Instrument (CI) that is seeking to make the Ghana Card the only document for voter registration, Madam Jean Mensa stated that the Ghana Card will not be used for voting in 2024, but rather used to register the voters.
“The use of only Ghana Card will ensure and guarantee the credibility of the register and elections, prevent enrolment of minors, prevent foreigners from voting, eliminate the guarantor system which is prone to abuse.”
Jean Mensa
Constitutional Instrument to use Ghana Card for voters registration
Commenting on a statement made by Tamale South Member of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, which suggested that there are about 3.5 million people without Ghana Cards, Madam Mensa explained that the National Identification Authority (NIA) has told the Commission that “there are 3.5 million blank cards in the warehouse, money has been released and funds are being released” to cater to them.
Elsewhere, the Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission in charge of Corporate Services, Dr. Bossman Asare, revealed that his outfit is determined to see to the passage of the Constitutional Instrument (CI). He noted that the CI will improve on the verification system for voters.
Dr Bossman explained that Ghana has since the inception of the 1992 Constitution used the old process, however, it is time to change.
“I don’t know if you know of any country where, let’s say in Togo, in Burkina Faso, in Britain where two British nationalities must vouch for somebody. It does not happen. This has been unique to Ghana and we think that we began this in 1992. We have come very far, and we have made progress.”
Dr Bossman Asare
On the other hand, despite the resolve of the Electoral Commission to see to the passage of the Constitutional Instrument (CI), the minority in parliament has kicked against it.
Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, indicated that the Minority is opposed to any move by the EC to use the Ghana Card as the sole identification document for voter registration. He highlighted that any such move by the EC will hurt people’s right to vote and be voted for.
“There is the right to vote and be voted for, the NDC will defend that right… We are contesting the use of Ghana Card as the sole reference for purposes of getting registered as a voter.”
Haruna Iddrisu
