A Deputy general secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Lawyer Nana Obiri Boahen, has said that regardless of dissenting opinions, a new voters’ register will be compiled in preparation for the 2020 general elections.
According to Obiri Boahen, the move for the proposed new voters’ register is not determined by partisan interests and influences, rather, the reality on the ground necessitated the push by the Electoral Commission (EC) for a new register.
Speaking in an interview on rainbow radio on Monday, he noted that the stance taken by the EC to compile a new voters’ register cannot be changed, irrespective of the party one belongs to, nor the position one holds in the country.
“Whether a new voters’ register will be compiled or not, it is non-negotiable, it is not debatable. It’s not determined by the NPP, nor is it determined by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“Whether you like it or not, there will be a new voters’ register. [No matter who you are], there will be a new register”
He explained that, the creation of the new regions, as well changes in the name of an existing region – “Ahafo Region” has necessitated the push for a new voters’ register by the EC. This he said was because, all voter ID cards have inscriptions denoting the region and area an electorate votes. Therefore the regional additions and name changes has to reflect in the new voters’ register to avoid confusion.
“By operation of law, there has been visible changes in regional demarcations in Ghana. Therefore, you must name and recode, and re-identify the polling stations to reflect the identity of the new regions”.
Lawyer Obiri Boahen asserted that, there are more pressing issues to discuss in the country than arguing over the procurement of new voters’ register along partisan lines. He added that, the plot by the opposition party -NDC to boycott the election due to new voters’ register is needless and won’t achieve anything.
Source: Jonas Danquah || ghananewsonline.com.gh