Time to tone down debate on voters register
We are returning to this subject today because for months now, one issue that has disturbed the political climate of the country has been whether to compile a new voters register or clean up the existing one for the 2016 elections.
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The two dominant political parties — the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) — have been diametrically opposed in their views, with the NDC calling for an audit while the NPP insists on the compilation of a new register.
The entrenched positions of the two parties have been the focus of news reports across the various media in the country and has been a top-of-the-list for public discourse.
One crucial fact has been left out in all these discussions and that is the fact that Ghana is not limited to these two political parties.
No matter how dominant they are, their combined membership accounts for a small percentage of the population of the country.
The majority of Ghanaians whose views matter, are not registered members of these two political groups but remain in the background for various reasons.
Based on an audit the NPP said it did on the register, it petitioned the EC claiming that there were foreigners and minors on the electoral roll.
Thankfully, the EC has provided an avenue for the collection and collation of views on the matter and gone ahead to set up a committee of eminent persons chaired by Mr Justice V.C.R.A.C. Crabbe which last Thursday and Friday sat and listened to the views of all the identified stakeholders including the EC itself.
The Daily Graphic is also aware that various political parties, civil society organisations, as well as governance think tanks and others, have made submissions to the EC.
The next step is for the Panel of Eminent Persons to present its findings and recommendations to the EC.
The EC has given indications that it will abide by the recommendations of the panel but beyond that are we prepared as a people to respect the recommendations of the panel and the consequent decision of the EC?
The Daily Graphic believes that the time has come for all stakeholders to tone down their language in this sacred quest to ensure that the best standards are applied in our democratic process.
The beauty that characterised the presentations of the divergent positions of the various stakeholders in a free environment must give way to a new dispensation of trust and confidence in the work of the panel and the resultant decision by the EC.
Even where there is disagreement, vested interests must be prepared to dialogue with the EC through the various platforms that have been created.
The EC boss has said that the involvement of all stakeholders is critical and requisite for the success of any options it must pursue in the end.
We urge all political parties to declare their commitment to accept the report of the committee and the decision of the EC thereafter.