Engage constructively on new voters register
The co-Chair of the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, has urged all stakeholders in the compilation of a new voters register to take advantage of the Electoral Commission's (EC) Eminent Advisory Committee meeting to state their positions devoid of emotions.
He said the arguments for and against the compilation of the new voters register should be based on reasoning rather than emotions and sentiments.
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The EC’s Eminent Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet the EC, members of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) and civil society groups in Accra tomorrow.
The opposition
The EC’s decision to compile a new voters register has been met with resistance by some political parties and think tanks, with some asking the EC to rescind its intention to compile a new register.
Members of the Inter-Party Resistance Against New Voters Register have embarked on two major demonstrations in Tamale and Kumasi to register their displeasure.
“Continue dialoguing”
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Sheikh Shaibu said the country had been highly polarised on the compilation of the new voters register.
He urged the EC to continue dialoguing with relevant stakeholders to ensure that a consensus was reached in the interest of the country.
He advised that the EC must take advantage of the scheduled meeting with the EC's Eminent Advisory Committee to justify the need for the compilation of the new Biometric Voters Register.
“Those in opposition to the compilation of a new register must also use the platform to present their case and then based on the deliberations, there will be consensus to move forward,” he noted.
EC is independent
While engaging with stakeholders, Sheikh Shaibu said, it was important to recognise the fact that the EC was an independent management body from all political and any other parties.
“As long as the advice given by the EC's Eminent Advisory Committee is not in conflict with the constitutional mandate of the EC, I think the EC should heed to the committee’s advice when it is given,” he said.
Justification by EC
The EC said it took the decision to procure the new Biometric Voter Management System (BVMS) on the advice of its IT team and external consultants "to the effect that it will be prudent to acquire a new system rather than refurbish the current system".
The commission, justifying its reason for the new voters register, said the present register was bloated.
It said the EC would save as much as GH¢170 million with the acquisition of the new BVMS which would be used for the new voters register.
However, some groups and other parties are not in agreement with the EC, saying its justification was not convincing enough.
