We’ll resist attempts to destroy our fledgling democracy –Coalition to EC

Coalition of political parties against the compilation of a new register say they will resist all attempts by the Electoral Commission (EC) to destroy the country’s democracy.

The call by the coalition comes at the back of the decision by Ghana’s electoral management body to compile a new voter’s register in the midst of mounting opposition led by the largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

A statement issued late Monday signed by representatives of four political parties; the NDC, United Ghana Movement (UGM), the All People’s Congress (APC) and the People’s National (PNC) argue the EC’s decision would disenfranchise millions of Ghanaian citizens as well as put the health of the people in jeopardy in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic in the country.

“As a political party with the biggest contribution to building and consolidating Ghana’s democracy in the 4th Republic, we obviously are concerned about any attempts by persons or institutions seeking to destroy the gains this nation has made since 1992.

“The Coalition considers this democracy as a product of citizens’ love for the nation and always will stand on the way of any person or group of persons or institutions that plot to destroy it,” the coalition said.

Ghana goes to the polls on December 7, 2020 to elect a President and Two Hundred and Seventy-Five (275) Members of Parliament (MPs).

The country’s EC has sited fundamental flaws with the existing register saying it has the names of persons who were not qualified to be on the roll hence its decision to compile a new one to ensure credible polls.

This decision has triggered mixed reactions among political parties pitching them into two main camps.

While the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and some smaller parties believe in the compilation of a new voter’s roll as the way to go towards election 2020, the NDC and some other parties are also opposed to it.

The NDC has already instituted a legal action against the EC at the country’s Supreme Court to restrain the electoral body from going ahead with its intended plan but use the existing register to conduct the December general election.

Meanwhile the EC has completed a pilot registration exercise and has indicated it will go ahead to conduct the main registration exercise across the country late June, 2020.

By Francis Kobena Tandoh || ghananewsonline.com.gh