Former President Rawlings Calls For Credible Voters Register Ahead 2016 Elections


Former President Jerry John Rawlings has asked for a credible voters register ahead of the 2016 general elections. He said only a credible electoral register can minimize the stressful political climate in the country.

"Everything possible must be done to ensure a very credible electoral process if this means that we listen to what the elders are saying...I think let's do it".

He was speaking to leaders of pressure group, Let My Vote Count Alliance (LMVCA) who paid a courtesy call on him at his residence to seek his support for a new voters' register.

Breaking his silence on the controversy, President Rawlings has been admitting that 2016 will be very stressful and challenging.

"There is a lot of stress in the air, there is a lot of nervousness...it is going to be a test on all of us" he said.

The only way we can really contain and prevent things from getting out of hands is to ensure that the electoral register is as credible as possible

Former President Rawlings however wants the electoral commission to listen to all sides including organized groups and individuals in addressing doubts about the voters' register.

According to the former President, the NDC government could cooperate with the NPP in accepting the demand for a new register.

"As a sitting government I think if we feel pretty confident about that register we should have no fears in doing what needs to be done to win the confidence...to take away doubts," he observed.

According to former President  Rawlings,  "it is an unfortunate thing to abuse the sanctity of the right of choice".

While commending the leadership of LMVCA for “keeping demonstrations alive” as a civil tool for registering grievances, President Rawlings asked them to endeavor to “keep it as peaceful as possible.”

He said there is too much to lose if things fall apart and asked the LMVCA leaders and all others to speak to their supporters to exercise some patience and give the Electoral Commission the space to do what is right, adding that “It’s important and I’m sure it will be done.”

Stressing the need to uphold the peace, the former president said, “Let’s do what we can, let’s not provoke a climate of stress, let’s not joke with it. Let’s do what we can to hold it tight” and avoid a spill over.

Among the leadership of the LMVCA at the meeting were David Asante, George Andah, Ibrahim Adjei, Abu Ramadan, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko and Richard Nyamah.

David Asante briefed the former President and his team, which included former diplomat Victor Gbeho, former Defence Minister Alhaji Iddrisu Mahama, and Lionel Mobila, all members of the Council of Elders of the ruling National Democratic Congress, on the activities of the group and explained the basis for their call for a new voters’ register.

He said the group believed that sustaining democracy in Ghana had a lot to do with credible elections, which must necessarily result from credible processes.

“Your Excellency, with the greatest of respect, we know and admit you are one illustrious son of this land whose influence on this society and beyond can never be overlooked. In that light we decided to pay a courtesy call on you as a group. Quite apart from our activity in calling for a new voters register, we believe it’s expedient to seek your blessing in our daily activity which principally revolve around the consolidation of our democracy which you fought for, which we are privilege to enjoy.”


For his part, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Aspirant for Awutu Senya West constituency George Andah said their whole effort was about putting Ghana first, and they were motivated by some of the virtues the former president had sought to inculcate in Ghanaians of discipline, of calling right, right and calling wrong, wrong  in order that the gains will not be lost and the nation retrogresses into the era when one was not free to do what is right.





GBC