Edzorna Mensah writes: The Electoral Commission got it wrong

In line with Article 6 Clause 1 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, I’m highly and regrettably dissatisfied with the actions and inactions of the Electoral Commission of Ghana concerning the ongoing Limited Voter Registration Exercise in some selected areas nationwide.

My disappointment is grounded on the fact, that the EC has purposefully disregarded the word “entitled” boldly written and captured in line 6 of Article 42 of the Constitution which imposes a legal duty on The Commission to register “every citizen of Ghana of eighteen years of age”, notwithstanding his or her geographical location, financial status or political membership.

The same Article speaks to the fact, that, The EC is under constitutional obligation to register such citizens “for public elections and referenda”, and the main motive behind this sentence is to unequivocally emphasize public election (s), be it the District Level Election or the National Level Election, so any attempt to overtly or covertly to deny citizens of Ghana of that right is unconstitutional.

And seriously, the “sound mind” used in the same Article does not only apply to the person to be registered but to the registration officer too, in this case, The EC because, it will take a “sound mind” to rationally interpret and apply this very Article in full to the benefit of an ordinary man on the street, but not capriciously and whimsically in which it is being used now for only the rich, who can afford it.

The Article again stresses the “right to vote”, this means, that every qualified citizen by law, has that right to vote, and he or she can only exercise that right if The EC as part of its mandate under Article 45 (e) has registered him or her and the EC must do so as matter of necessity without subjecting jobless young people risks of traveling from several Kilometers with guarantors at a cost to them.

So, one cannot talk about a right to vote without a right to be registered, and with the mandate of The Commission, which comes under Article 45 (a), it is only right and fair for the Commission to extend the registration exercise to the door-steps of very citizen properly captured under the said Article transparently.

The positions of the Commission on the ongoing Limited Voter Registration Exercise, and for that matter to limit the exercise to its offices is a complete breach of the many provisions and more importantly, substantive laws of this Country just on the face of it.

Mr. EC, the right to vote is a fundamental right of all citizen who turns 18 and above and that, is the law and your over-reliance on Article 51 which talks about regulations for elections and referenda cannot be the sole source of your argument as public Institution to justify actions is objectionable and meaningless at the court public opinion, especially when your expenses are charged on the Consolidated Fund-Public Fund under Article 54 of the Constitution of Ghana.

Interestingly, The Constitution of Ghana under Article 11 Clause 1 (a) declared the Constitution as the Supreme Law of the land without demeaning other sources stated in Article 11 (1), (b) (c) (d), and (e) but a Constitutional body must be seen using it to protect the integrity of the parent law. Equity mentioned under Common Law in Clause 2 of Article 11 of the Law of Ghana must serve as a guiding pimple of the Commission.

Take it or leave it, EC with all these disputed clarifications cannot hold a news conference from its comfort zone, using taxpayer’s money to unilaterally direct the poor people mostly in rural areas its District offices for registration without recourse to the cost involved.

EC, your position is bad, dangerous, and undemocratic. Are you happy seeing hundreds of young people walking long distances just to come and queue at your old National Headquarters for a simple exercise that the law says, is their right and you must give them stress-free opportunities in times like this?

EC, if you truly care to know the cost of traveling in some rural areas, let’s say, from Sonuto to Agbozume and Ketu South District Office at Tokor or using a Commercial Vehicle from Blekusu to Denu Junction and then to Torkor your District Office, just call the Assembly Members of Sonuto-Kumadekorpe and Blekusu Electoral Ares. You will appreciate how you are using the public fund to frustrate hundreds of legitimate citizens whom you are to serve and serve well as a democratic institution.

It is the “right to Vote Every citizen of Ghana of eighteen years of age or above and sound mind has the right to vote and is entitled to be registered as a voter for public elections and referenda” so says to law and it is within your mandate to “educate the people on the electoral process and its purpose”, and that must dine accordingly, “to undertake programs for the expansion of the registration of voters” ahead of up-coming District Level Assembly Election so that, every citizen call elect his or her Assembly Member slated for later this year.

Even if you are going to open another window before, the 2024 general election, what is the guarantee that hundreds of youth who are traveling abroad for greener pastures now and then will get the opportunity again?

“Every Vote Counts” you stated on your website but the question is how do I “take the next step forward and register today!” if I don’t have the means to travel from Dedeman Electoral Area to Amasaman with guarantors”.

How can a frustrated man who believes in ‘transparency, fairness, and integrity trust you that, you are “working to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity, when your actions are costing him so much?

News Commentary looks at the ongoing national Limited Voter Registration Exercise and the need for the Commission to increase the registration centers for easy access to ease the financial cost to the people in Rural Areas particularly.

The script was written by Edzorna Francis Mensah a Journalist and Political Commentator