National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer John Mahama has described New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) John Boadu’s suggestion that the Electoral Commission can begin the compilation of the new Voters’ Register.
Mahama has describe the suggestion as unfortunate and irresponsible.
Mr Boadu earlier in the week suggested that if the pandemic slows down in May, it will be prudent for the EC to begin the compilation of the new Voters’ Register because it was a necessity.
However Mr Mahama disagrees with him and beleieves this is not the time to talk about the new Voters’ Register because the whole country is fighting COVID-19.
“It is unfortunate that a high ranking member of the President’s party has suggested in recent days that the Electoral Commission should go ahead with the compilation of the new Voters’ register as soon as next month no matter how many Ghanaians die. At the time of the COVID-19 threat and when social distancing has become our main defence this suggestion is deeply irresponsible,”Mahama said while speaking during a live broadcast on the Covid-19 pandemic.
The EC initially scheduled April 18, 2020, for the compilation of the new voters’ register ahead of the December 2020 elections but following the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus in the country it was postponed and a new date has not been announced.
They have on several occasions explained that Ghana needs a new Voters’ Register because it wants to ensure that the register that is used on the election day is more credible and efficient than the existing one hence the need for a new Biometric Voter Management System (BVMS).
