In the heat of the event, the Electoral Commission of Ghana has come under fire for purportedly disenfranchising prospective voters in the Bono Region. These accusations stem from a statement by Charles Akowuah Tuffour, the Bono Regional Communication Officer of the NDC. According to Charles Akowuah, none of the 23 designated registration centres across the Bono Region had commenced the voter registration exercise as scheduled. Still, after more than 5 hours, no single individual has been registered in the region.
This delay has raised significant alarms about the readiness and efficiency of the Electoral Commission to conduct a fair and transparent voter registration exercise in this region. The electoral process is a fundamental pillar of any democracy, as it ensures the voices and choices of the people are accurately represented through their elected representatives. Any disruption or delay in this process jeopardises the very essence of democratic governance.
I cannot substantiate the claims made by the electoral commission that their headquarters could not furnish them with the activation code into their system on time. When they had that access, too, their interface wasn’t responding. I therefore ask these questions: did the EC forget that an exercise was going to be carried out today? , and why only Bono region but not other areas like Ashanti, Eastern and the like?
The right to vote is a cornerstone of democracy, and any attempt to curtail this right undermines the people’s sovereignty. The Electoral Commission, as the custodian of the electoral process, has a solemn duty to ensure that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to register and cast their vote without hindrance or delay.
Charles Akowuah Tuffour’s statement strongly implies that the Electoral Commission’s actions—or lack thereof—could be interpreted as an attempt to subvert the people’s will. This allegation must be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
It is imperative that the Electoral Commission swiftly addresses these concerns and takes immediate steps to rectify any delays or obstacles hindering the voter registration exercise in the Bono Region. Transparency, accountability, and adherence to electoral timelines are non-negotiable principles that must be upheld to safeguard the democratic rights of every Ghanaian citizen.
As citizens, our collective responsibility is to ensure that our electoral processes remain free, fair, and accessible to all eligible voters. The allegations raised by the NDC’s Bono Regional Communication Officer emphasise the importance of vigilance and active participation in defending our democratic principles.
“I, therefore, by this release, cautioning the electoral commission that any attempt to disenfranchise prospective voters in the Bono Region will be met with stubborn opposition in any form.
It is imperative to note that the sanctity of our electoral system hinges upon the active engagement and oversight of all stakeholders to uphold the sovereignty of the people and protect the integrity of our democratic institutions and must be held in high esteem.”
