No New Voters Register For 2016; EC Announce Final Decision

The Electoral Commission has announced that the present voters register would not be changed as had been advocated by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and some other political parties.

A statement issued by the Commission and signed by its Public Affairs Director, Mr Christian Owusu-Parry on Thursday said the panel that looked into the concerns and views of stakeholders on the register did not find the arguments for a new register convincing and therefore did not recommend the replacement of the current voters’ register.

Rather, the panel was of the view that the responsibility for having a clean and credible register was the shared responsibility of all citizens of Ghana;

The EC set up the Independent Panel and tasked it to look into the concerns and views of stakeholders on the Voters’ Register.

Accoding to the EC, following the receipt of the report on December 21, 2015, it has concluded its study of the report submitted by the Panel and wishes to advise the public as follows:

1. The Panel finds the arguments for a new register unconvincing and therefore does not recommend the replacement of the current voters’ register;
2. The Panel is of the view that the responsibility for having a clean and credible register is the shared responsibility of all citizens of Ghana;

3. The Electoral Commission accepts the recommendations of the Panel and will progressively implement the recommendations made therein;

4. The Electoral Commission will continue to engage stakeholders to ensure that a clean and credible voters’ register is in place for the 2016 general elections through an inclusive and collaborative audit process;

5. The Commission will publish the full report of the Panel on its website- www.ec.gov.gh by 7th January 2016 for the benefit of the public.

The Commission further wishes to inform the public that it has examined all the allegations and complaints made by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on the voters’ register and has responded appropriately to the party. A copy of the findings of the Commission into the claims made by the NPP will also be made available to the Public on the Commission’s website.

The Commission takes the opportunity to thank the members of the Panel led by His Lordship VCRAC Crabbe, the Political Parties, Civil Society Organizations, Faith Based Organizations and all stakeholders for the support and cooperation shown to the Commission during the engagements on the Voters’ Register.

The Commission reiterates its commitment to ensuring transparent, inclusive and credible general elections in 2016 and to ensuring democratic growth and stability in Ghana and takes the opportunity to wish all citizens of Ghana a blessed, peaceful and prosperous 2016.

Source: Daily Graphic