The National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Kofi Adams, has stated that the demand by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for a new voters’ registration for the 2016 election has no reasonable justification.
‘’So far, there has been no justifiable reason from any political or civil society organisations except the NPP, and what needs to be done is for the parties and others to support the Electoral Commission (EC) and its new boss to complete the reform process that has been agreed upon by all stakeholders,’’ Mr Adams emphasised.
No justification Speaking to the Daily Graphic on the call by the NPP’s General Secretary, Mr Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, for the new EC boss to compile a new voters’ register, Mr Adams said a new register was never and had never been advocated and that he was, therefore, surprised that the demand now found its way in the rendition of the NPP and its protege organisations.
Mr Adams said as a political party, the NDC would continue to support the EC in its drive towards making the elections and electoral process more free, fair and less cumbersome.
He described as unfortunate the Supreme Court’s decision on the use of the National Health Insurance Scheme identification card as per C.I. 75.
Mr Adams explained that the decision of the Supreme Court was being misconstrued to mean a call for a new voters’ register.
He said given that a new registration exercise was to be opened, the old voters’ identity cards which might have been acquired with either a passport or driving licence and the voters’ identification cards acquired with the NHIS card would be the basis for any new registration.
He explained that should that be done no one could register with the NHIS card again.
It would be recalled that the NPP had, in a letter, requested the new EC boss to compile a new voters’ register for the 2016 election.
The letter, under the heading, ‘’Request for a new voters’ register”, reminded the EC of the essence of time in the exercise and, therefore, urged the new head of EC to take the opportunity to give the country a fresh start by handling the matter with the urgency it required.
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