The proposal by the Electoral Commission (EC) to have a new Constitutional Instrument (CI) laid and subsequently passed by parliament, which seeks to make Ghana Card, as the only means of identification for registration by voters, is sure to cause a lot of unease.
For a commission that had repeatedly been accused of working to favour the political party in power, such a proposal should not have been contemplated, let alone sent to parliament for consideration.
What is more, the attitude of politicians has become more worrisome, where they seem to support every decision of the EC, when they are in power and disagree with them, when in opposition, a lot more consultation is needed, before such a CI, can be considered.
It is an undeniable fact that, the Ghana card is the future, the proposal that is being considered, will tomorrow follow a natural order, where no one will raise a voice against it.
The minority in parliament, has already served notice that, it will resist every attempt to have the CI passed. A CI that is supposed to regulate our elections must not be opposed by the largest opposition party and a government in waiting.
The former celebrated Electoral Commissioner, Dr Kwadwo Afari Djan, has also kicked against the CI, saying, people were Ghanaians first before the Ghana Card was introduced.
In his view, eligible and qualified Ghanaians should not be disenfranchised because they do not have the Ghana Card.
We are on the considered opinion that, the EC, should hasten slowly. Every relevant stakeholder must be consulted and their suggestions taken on board, before passing the CI, which has far reaching implication for eligible voters.
The 2024 general election has been described by political watchers as a defining one for Ghana. As such the task of ensuring that it not just holds but holds in the most free, fair and transparent manner is more than a duty, but a sacrifice that the Electoral Commission must make.
As a commissioner, it should be concern about possible avoidable court cases that have become part of our politics, which is derailing the progress we are a making as a democratic nation.
The expectation on the EC is high. It is ordinarily expected that Ghana will continue to set the pace for free and fair elections, that begins with compiling a credible register.
