After failed attempts to impress on the Electoral Commission (EC) the need to compile a new voters register, the largest opposition party, NPP, has hinted it will soon boycott IPAC meetings.
The decision, according to NPP’s acting General Secretary, John Boadu has become inevitable because of what he described as the EC’s posture and consistent refusal to take 'simple advice'.
According to him, IPAC is becoming a needless platform because issues that come up are merely for window dressing.
John Boadu who was commenting on the Commission’s position on the Supreme Court ruling on the “Abu Ramadan & Evans Nimako vrs the Electoral Commission & The Attorney- General” case, condemned the EC Chair especially for what he described as sheer arrogance and bidding for her masters.
The acting NPP General Secretary who is also a member of Nana Akufo Addo’s Campaign team warned of dire consequences with the possibility of throwing this country into chaos if Madam Charlotte Osei continues to tow that line.
Last Thursday, the Commission officially spelt out its position on the ruling after a meeting with representatives of the Inter Party Advisory Committee, IPAC.
A news release issued stated that Supreme Court did not order the EC to delete names of voters who used the NHIS as proof of identity.
“For persons who registered with NHIA cards, such registrations were lawful at the time of registration, and the subsequent declaration of unconstitutionality in the earlier Abu Ramadan case, does not automatically render them void’, the statement from the EC read.
It also assured political parties of ongoing steps to delete or as is popularly known ‘clean” the current register of voters to comply with the provisions of the 1992 Constitution, and applicable laws of Ghana;
The Commission’s statement further said the directives of the Apex Court are clear and emphasize the processes already laid down in the law for cleaning the voters’ register.
But aggrieved NPP members say the EC’s position is gradually preparing the country for violence.
The Acting General Secretary who spoke on Accra based OKAY FM, claimed IPAC meetings for sometime now, is packed with representatives of non-existent parties brought in to prosecute an agenda.
“She doesn’t take your decisions, so what is the relevance of joining IPAC meetings? The so called IPAC meetings is just for window dressing because some of those who attend only sing praises of the EC for its patience and commitment to remain focused. I might report to the party and possibly withdraw from subsequent IPAC meetings, so that they (EC and co) can go ahead to do what they want,” he lamented further.
He expressed gratitude to what he described as swift response from right ‘thinking people’ and institutions.
Mr Boadu asked traditional leaders and other groups to join the Christian Council to bring the EC to order.
He also expressed hope that Abu Ramadan’s decision to seek the Supreme Court’s interpretation of its ruling on the case will yield positive result.
The EC has always insisted it is focused and would not be deterred because parties unanimously agreed at an earlier Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting in March this year, that mechanisms outlined by the Commission for cleaning the register are Inclusive, Collaborative, Legal and Transparent.
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