Voter register: EC advisory c’ttee urges political parties to keep calm

The Eminent Advisory Committee of the Electoral Commission (EC) has asked political parties and other stakeholders to remain calm in the wake of agitations over the EC’s decision to compile a new voters register.

It comes after the committee chaired by Justice Emile Short held a crunch meeting with the EC.

The meeting was focused on addressing concerns raised by some political parties and other stakeholders against the compilation of a new register.

A statement signed by Chairman of the committee said: “the Electoral Commission on Wednesday 15th January 2020 held a meeting with members of the Eminent Advisory Committee to outline the justification for the procurement of a new Biometric Voter Management System and the compilation of the new voters register for the 2020 general elections.”

“At the end of the meeting, it was agreed that the electoral commission and the eminent advisory committee will meet members of the Inter Party  Advisory Committee to have further deliberations on the matter.”

It added “eminent advisory committee calls for calm from all political parties and other stakeholders as they work in the national interest”.

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and seven other political parties embarked on a massive demonstration in Tamale over the weekend to mount pressure on the EC to rescind its decision to compile a new electoral roll.

They have cited high cost of compilation as one of their reasons to opposing the move.

The groups have vowed to continue to pile pressure on the Jean Mensah led administration to rescind its decision.