The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) is cautioning the Electoral Commission (EC) not to take an entrenched position on its decision not to change the voters’ register ahead of the 2016 general elections.
The group fears a ‘headstrong’ position by the Commission could plunge the country into chaos.
General Secretary of the Christian Council, Rev Dr Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, gave the caution after the EC decided not to change the voters’ register.
The EC’s decision to keep the current register is consistent with a report by a five-member committee it set up to deliberate on proposals for a new voters’ register.
The committee, among other things, says it “finds the arguments for a new register unconvincing and, therefore, does not recommend the replacement of the current voters’ register.”
But the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and other pressure groups have expressed grave displeasure at the Commission’s position.
Pro-NPP group, Let My Vote Count Alliance (LMVCA), is threatening court action if the EC decides to go ahead with its decision.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s ‘Ekosii Sen’ programme on Tuesday, Rev Dr Opuni-Frimpong said the only way forward is consensus building.
He indicated that the EC trying to bulldoze their way through in spite of the objections of opposition political parties and civil society groups could be a recipe for disaster.
“EC should not take us for granted because Ghanaians are perceived to be timid; it must reconsider its decision,” he stressed.
The Christian Council scribe underscored the need for the Commission to redeem its battered image and gain credibility in the eyes of Ghanaians before conducting the elections.
Rev Dr Opuni-Frimpong maintained that no matter what happens, “we must go into 2016 with a credible register so that both winner and losers will accept the results for a peaceful Ghana.”
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