A coalition of political parties, consisting of the CPP, PNC, APC, GCPP, LPG, NDP, and GFP, has raised their collective voice against a decision made by the Jean Mensah-led Electoral Commission (EC) regarding the venue for the upcoming 2023 limited voter registration exercise. The parties are staunchly advocating for the 2023 limited voter registration to take place at the 1500 electoral areas previously used in the 2019 registration exercise, rather than the proposed 268 District Offices of the EC. This demand has stirred up discussions about the implications of such a decision on the inclusivity, transparency, and accessibility of the electoral process.
The Controversy: District Offices vs. Electoral Areas
At the heart of this issue lies the divergence of opinion between the EC and the coalition of political parties regarding the most appropriate venue for the 2023 limited voter registration. The EC, led by Chairperson Jean Mensah, has opted to conduct the registration at 268 District Offices. However, the coalition of political parties vehemently contests this decision, arguing that it undermines the accessibility and inclusivity of the process.
The coalition’s counterproposal is that the EC should revisit the 1500 electoral areas that were previously gazetted and used for the 2019 limited voter registration exercise. According to their standpoint, this choice ensures a more widespread and convenient registration process, facilitating citizens’ participation in the democratic process.
Demands for Inclusivity and Accessibility
One of the fundamental principles of a democratic society is that every eligible citizen has the right to participate in the electoral process without hindrance. The coalition of political parties emphasizes this point by asserting that the choice of registration venue significantly impacts the inclusivity of the voter registration exercise. Conducting the registration at 268 District Offices might inadvertently place obstacles in the path of those who reside far from these centralized locations.
In contrast, the utilization of the 1500 electoral areas aligns more closely with the principle of accessibility. These areas are more geographically dispersed, allowing citizens from various regions to register without undergoing the logistical challenges of traveling long distances. This approach would likely lead to a higher turnout and a broader representation of the populace in the electoral roll.
Transparency and Trust
Another dimension to this debate revolves around transparency and public trust. The coalition of political parties has expressed concerns that the decision to conduct the limited voter registration at District Offices could be perceived as less transparent due to the centralization of the process. The involvement of local electoral areas, as proposed by the coalition, could potentially foster a greater sense of transparency, as citizens would witness the process firsthand and be more engaged in oversight.
Moreover, a collaborative approach that aligns with previously used electoral areas can help restore trust between the Electoral Commission and political parties. This can dispel any suspicions of favoritism or bias, fostering a more cooperative and harmonious environment for the upcoming elections.
Conclusion
The collaboration of political parties from diverse ideological backgrounds to challenge the venue for the 2023 limited voter registration exercise signals the importance of a fair, accessible, and transparent electoral process. While the Electoral Commission’s choice of conducting the registration at District Offices might have its reasons, the coalition’s proposition of reverting to the 1500 electoral areas offers a compelling case for ensuring broader inclusivity, accessibility, and public trust.
As the nation anticipates a pivotal election in 2023, finding common ground between the Electoral Commission and the coalition of political parties could set a positive precedent for future electoral processes. Balancing the logistical realities with the principles of democracy will ultimately shape the credibility of the upcoming elections and contribute to a stronger democratic foundation in the country.
PRESS STATEMENT BY POLITICAL PARTIES ON REGISTRATION OF VOTERS
Venue: Ghana International Press Centre
Date: Monday, 21st August 2023
Time: 12 noon
Ladies and gentlemen of the press, fellow Ghanaians, all protocol observed, we warmly welcome you all to this press conference.
It has become imperative for us as political parties to hold this press conference and address pertinent issues in relation to the press briefing organized by the Electoral Commission of Ghana on Thursday 17th August 2023 to announce that they will commence a voter registration exercise on Tuesday 12th September to Monday, October 2nd 2023.
As political actors, we have been concerned and held several pressers to educate and encourage the general public in order to build confidence and trust in the Electoral Commission of Ghana as their work has serious implications to ensuring a free, fair and transparent electoral process and elections which outcome will be accepted by all.
However, when it becomes necessary to constructively engage on the work of the Electoral Commission trust us that we will not hesitate to do that because we need to forestall any actions that have tendencies of causing instability and disturbing the peace and tranquillity we have been blessed with as a Country.
The Electoral Commission contrary to the discussions at IPAC made an announcement on a voter’s registration exercise with modalities which was not by the consensus of political parties and civil society organisations who were present at the IPAC meeting held on Wednesday 16th August 2023.
At the said IPAC meeting, the Electoral Commission informed us of their intention to begin a registration of voter’s exercise on or between 10th to 15th of September 2023 and they will communicate the exact date to us when they finalise it. More so, they indicated that the registration exercise was going to be held at the 268 offices of the Electoral commission including the newly created district (i.e. the Guan district).
All the political parties present (i.e. NPP, LPG, GCPP, APC, NDP, PNC, CPP, PPP and GFP) including sections of the Civil Society Organisations unanimously objected to the registration exercise being limited to the 268 offices of the Electoral Commission as this was going to affect the participation of the general public, create unnecessary tension due to concentrated numbers and will bring unbearable cost to individuals and we the political parties in the situation where we will need to provide transportation to facilitate participation of our members and general constituents.
We also expressed that the replacement of lost ID cards should not be part of this registration exercise as in the past we have all witnessed the abuse and potential re-registration that some unscrupulous individuals take advantage of.
The Electoral Commission agreed with the unanimous position expressed and even indicated that it is not in their interest to disenfranchise any eligible voter therefore they will meet based on our feedback and get back to us only for them to turn around within 24hours to organise a press conference without any recourse to us as to why our views were not even considered.
Deliberations at IPAC on Wednesday
During the IPAC meeting which was held on Wednesday 16th of August 2023, we enquired from the Electoral Commission why the same EC which gazetted 1,500 registration centres during the limited registration exercise in 2019 now want to only use 268 registration centres for this exercise bearing in mind that there hasn’t been any registration exercise after the 2020 elections.
Our major concerns bothered on the distance eligible registrants will have to travel, the cost and risk that will be associated with the whole process of registration only at the district offices of the EC.
For instance, an 18-year-old travelling all the way from Dago and other far communities within the Akuapem South constituency to Aburi which is the district Capital will be an inconvenience and hamper the success of the execise.
We also cited an instance in relation to North Tongu where someone from Juapong might have to cross the Volta river or come through Shai Osu Doku to Battor for the registration and in case the individual does not have passport and Ghana card will have to transport themselves and two other guarantors. A cost many Ghanaians cannot shoulder due to the difficult times we find ourselves as a Country.
Similar instances were made in relation to Dome Kwabenya and other districts which cover large area size and the chaos that happen at the EC offices due to over concentrated numbers which calls into question the suitability and accessibility of some of the district offices of the Electoral Commission.
The poor nature of our roads especially during this period of torrential rains which has even resulted in some areas in the Northern part of our Country having their bridges washed away will impede the participation of the average Ghanaian in this process and has the potential of voter suppression.
Furthermore, the registration at the EC offices will likely breed “goro boys” who will be using the opportunity of the guarantor system as business since people might not be able to travel long distances and be waiting in queues just to guarantee for registrants.
One should not also be oblivious of the fact that in past, many rushed to registration centres for the Voter ID cards because it also served as a form of ID for other purposes, however due to the introduction of the Ghana card it means the only use of the voter ID will be for voting and to encourage more participation in the electoral process, the registration exercise should be closer to the people.
Dr Bossman Asare, a deputy chair of the EC was grateful for our feedback and expressed that our concerns were legitimate because even some of their own Electoral Officers have been complaining of long travels sometimes about 3 hours from some communities within the same district to get to their district office.
Some Civil Society members present also opined that to ensure the electoral process is participatory and decentralised, it should include if not all then some electoral areas in a cluster form as done in past. At least if the EC cannot do more than 1,500 registration centres as done in 2019, they should maintain the status quo.
We therefore suggested that, the EC can use 7 days to do the registration exercise at the electoral areas and use another 7 days to do a mop-up exercise at their district offices to even save them time and cost.
The Electoral Commissioners informed us that they have taken our concerns and “will get back to us”, a phrase we are well accustomed to and so pushed further for timelines and they indicated by close of day Monday.
Most of us were therefore taken aback when we only heard and saw on radio and tv that the Electoral commission has set a date for the registration exercise and will use only their district offices as registration centres.
We want to inform the General public that as political actors we will continue to engage the EC to ensure they adopt a process that will be less burdensome and more convenient to ensure full participation and high success rate of the registration exercise.
In any case, Regulation 2 (2) of the Public Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, 2016 (C.I. 91), as amended on Registration Centres states that;
(2) In designating a place as a registration centre, the Commission shall take into consideration
(a) the suitability of the place for use as a polling station on election day; and
(b) the accessibility of the place to prospective applicants for registration.
Furthermore, Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana states:
Every citizen of Ghana of eighteen years of age or above and of sound mind has the right to vote and is entitled to be registered as a voter for the purposes of public elections and referenda.
In conclusion, we also want to publicly call on the Electoral Commission through its Chair Madam Jean Mensah to rescind their decision and make the process more accessible and painless to enable the average Ghanaian who is eligible to exercise their right and entitlement to be registered as a voter.
This will reflect in the EC’s commitment in building a solid and credible institution to protect the strong and enviable record of Ghana as a beacon of democracy that will continue to be worthy of emulation across the continent.
God Bless our Home Land Ghana and make Her Great and Strong!
Signed:
GCPP
LPG
CPP
PNC
APC
NDP
GFP