Speculations are rife that, the Election Management Body; the Electoral Commission (EC) has plans to compile a new register for the 2024 elections.
Much as the EC, has tried to debunk this claim, and has indicated that it only intends to use the Ghana Card as the only primary document for continuous registration, most Ghanaians are aghast not just because of the prospect of a new register, but the timing, bearing in mind we spent 80 million dollars to compile a new one for the 2020 general elections.
As a newspaper, we would have treated the speculations, as mere rumor by mischief-makers, but the words of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Adukwei Mensah, gives us course for concern.
Speaking at the ‘Let the Citizens know’ series in Accra last Thursday, the Chairperson of the EC, said “We have engaged the NIA and it has assured us that the cards will be issued to Ghanaians to help them register.
“More to the point, we have two clear years to the 2024 elections and so people will not be disenfranchised when we use only the Ghana Card for registration.
“We thus call on the NIA to make the process of acquiring the cards easier and more efficient to ensure that all eligible voters are able to get their cards and be able to register”.
At the best of times, compiling of new register has been ever so controversial. Why we are worried is that history is replete with situations where such matters enter the public space as rumour. Even when they are denied by the authorities, they manage to take a life of their own and fly.
But beyond the political implication of increasing of compiling a new register before the 2024 elections, or at any other time for that matter is the reaction of Ghanaians and political watchers, who will interpret such a move as an attempt to rig the election for the governing party.
We saw the acrimony which was witnessed when the EC compile a register for the 2020 elections, which spilled over into the election and the aftermath.
This newspaper is persuaded to point out that this will be too bad for the country
No serious country toys with its Electoral register like we do.
It is from this perspective that we are compelled to argue against any thought by the Electoral Commission to compile a new register must not be entertained.
