Democratic-minded Ghanaians will be heaving a sign of relief following the Electoral Commission’s decision to extend the voters registration exercise for two more days. Even though two days might not be enough to clear the long queues at most registration centres, at least majority of voters will be catered for by the new deadline. Indeed the E.C had had quite a hectic time registering prospective voters who just turned 18 and those who could not register when the Electoral Register was opened previously.
The registration exercise has been characterized by shortage of registration materials, registration of minors with the alleged blessing of political parties’ violence, tribal discrimination and intimidatory practices by Electoral officials. To all intent and purposes, the EC underestimate the job on hand as it failed to provide the requisite materials especially cameras, laminators and even forms at some registration centres. Prior to the beginning of the exercise, the EC indicated it had received adequate funding from government to get it through. If so, the question then is, what went wrong? The political parties can also not escape blame for their open connivance in bussing under-aged persons and in some instances people to go and register in other constituencies other than their own.If experiences at the registration centers are anything to go by, then the EC has to go back to the drawing board to re-strategies before December 7.
It must take steps to flush out from its midst frontline officers with known political leanings. The new voters register must also be cleaned of ghost names, double registrations and the like. On the ‘D’ day itself measures must be instituted to check minors from voting. Anybody found to have registered twice must seriously be reprimanded to serve as a deterrent to others.
It is commendable the EC has decided to establish special registration centers at its head office and regional offices of the Commission to cater for the physically challenged. It must however ensure that politicians do not take advantage to register people other than the disabled. After the registration period no back door registration should be entertained.
It is a sad mistake, the EC re-opened the voter registration in an election year.Henceforth, steps must be taken so that people either go to the offices of the Commission or the Police Stations whenever they turned 18. Permanent Centers must be established for people who misplaced their voter ID Cards to be given new ones even if for a fee. With the experiences gathered at the registration centers, the EC, together with the political parties must come out with stringent measures to check any malfeasance at the polls on December 7.
Dr. Afari Gyan and other EC members must guard against any acts that will tarnish their hard-won reputation. Ghana is regarded as an icon in organizing elections. Nothing must therefore be done to bring the up-coming polls into disrepute. The experiences from Nigeria , Kenya and Zimbabwe must serve as useful guides. A word to the wise is enough. BY JUSTICE MINGLE, A JOURNALIST
