Minors on register can lead to conflict

In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Bombande stated that the situation was not as helpless as the EC had made Ghanaians to believe and that with determination, the commission could find a solution before election day.

He explained that with the help of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and civil society organisations, the situation could be remedied before election day.

“We must deal with the problem before it creates agitation on election day,” he stressed.

Mr Bombande said it was important for the EC to liaise with the NCCE and civil society groups to embark on vigorous campaigns in areas or communities with high  rates of minors in the register.

“Even though we are told that the problem is widespread and cuts across all the regions, there are some areas where the issue is most critical and the EC must concentrate on educating parents and guardians in such areas,” he stated.

He said Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan’s statement that, “So if you cannot convince them, next time you go voting and there is somebody who appears to be eight years in front of you, patiently wait for him to vote” failed to sit well with him, saying it was only a recipe for disaster.

He said it was wrong for people to argue that once the names of minors had been captured in the voters register, they were legally right to vote.

“Such an argument will not hold the emotions and anger of party representatives who may feel that such minors may be voting against them,” he said.

Mr Bombande said candidates who lost the elections might cite minors in the register as the reason for their defeat.

Story: Naa Lamiley Bentil