‘No logic in demonstrations over new voter’s register’ – Danquah Institute
The pro-government think tank, the Danquah Institute, has questioned the rationale behind protests championed by the opposition National Democratic Congress over plans to compile a new voter’s register.
Executive Director of the Danquah Institute Richard Ahiagba said on Starr FM on Wednesday the protesters are better off going to court over the matter.
“You have the right to demonstrate and this government cannot tell you, no. The same Constitution gives the Electoral Commission, the power to do a register.”
Photo: Richard Ahiagba
“So now you are demonstrating against somebody’s right? I don’t see the logic. How many more demonstrations will you do before you realise that it will amount to nothing?” he wondered.
The remarks of Mr. Ahiagba follows another demonstration in the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi, by the coalition of political parties against the compilation of a new voter’s register.
‘Yenpene’ demo hits Kumasi to compel EC to drop new register
The group on Tuesday petitioned the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to intervene and compel the Jean Mensah-led EC to rescind its decision to compile a new voters register.
The Electoral Commission requested and obtained parliamentary approval to spend about GH¢444million for the new voter’s register.
The current register was compiled in 2012 and was used for the last two general and parliamentary polls in Ghana.
The same register was also used for the referendum to create new regions as well as the local government polls to elect heads of the various assemblies and unit committee members.
The coalition of political parties against the plan have argued, the current register only needs to be updated and not replaced.
They say the expenditure is a needless waste of scarce resources, pointing out that if it was good for the local level elections in December, then it is good for the November 2020 general elections.
New Voter Roll: We’ll put sense in Jean Mensa’s head – Nketiah
The NDC’s position is shared by more than 18 civil society organisations who have urged the EC to invest in updating the register.
The NDC has led in organizing two demonstrations – one in the Northern regional capital Tamale, and the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi.
But the Executive Director of the Danquah Institute has called their bluff.
“The question is why haven’t they gone to court already? Because there’s no basis. You have to have standing before you go to court. You don’t just go to court because you feel like there’s a court and you must go. No. What case are you bringing?” he stressed.
The Electoral Commission has set April to begin the mass registration exercise.