Vociferous ‘Yes Vote’ campaigner joins calls to postpone referendum

Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), Dr Emmanuel Akwetey, has joined calls for the December 17 referendum to be postponed.

He explains that this is crucial following the controversies that have surrounded the exercise.

According to the vociferous ‘Yes’ campaigner, the suspension will help address all concerns raised regarding the upcoming exercise.

“…the people are the decision makers and they say we need more time, if we’re going to consider that then it’s not cancelling. It could be a rescheduling. The machinery should also educate people objectively not the bias thing of reducing it to elections”.

“For constitutional amendment, it’s not a party election. We need a lot of consensus and there’s a lot of work to be done to build this consensus” he said.

Member of Parliament for Okere and Minister for Regional Re-organization and Development, Dan Botwe, earlier called for a complete withdrawal of the referendum.

But Dr Akwetey disagrees with the many voices who are campaigning for a ‘NO’ vote.

The Minority in Parliament for instance urged Ghanaians to vote ‘NO’ during the exercise.

According to the largest opposition party, NDC individuals should be allowed to contest in local level elections without political party affiliation.

Several groups have also called for a ‘NO’ vote but the Executive Director for IDEG says those campaigning for a ‘No’ vote should rethink their decision.

“Those who are saying cancel it [referendum], I’m saying they ought to rethink. We have real challenges in the system that needs to be reformed. It is not elections. Elections doesn’t reform. It’s competition for power and it gives you the impression that people want to be part of the system as it is. If people have other concerns, it must be listened to and addressed” he stated.

Ghanaians will on December 17, cast a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ vote in a referendum to allow political parties to participate in local government elections.

The referendum  needs at least 40 percent of eligible voters turning out to vote and at least 75 percent voting in favour for its ‘Yes’ campaign to succeed.