“It is utterly unnecessary for the EC to spent (Gh¢800Million) such amount of money for the new register”
The above was the preliminary remarks by the former NPP for Asikuma Odoben Brakwa constituency in the central region of the NPP on AHOTOR FM’s breakfast Show on Tuesday.
Mr Paul Collins Appiah Ofori said to host Citizen Kofi Owusu, that he can not phantom why the chairperson of Ghana’s Electoral Commission insist to go ahead to compile a new voters register for the December polls, amid raging controversies surrounding the impending registration process.
The anti graft crusader noted that, the economy has taken a nose dive in recent time, and any attempt to further use state kitty for needless activity will only sort to worsen the plight of the ordinary taxpayer.
He told AHOTOR FM’s Adekye Mu Nsem that, Ghana have had successive commissioners as Chairpersons of the EC, and did not trek on the path of the current managers at the EC, which have the tendency to plunge the country into chaos and turmoil.
HON. Appiah Ofori inpunne that, the attitude of Madam Jean Mensah must endevour to welcome opinions from all sides of the political divide, in order to arrive at amicable consensus to ascertain the rationale for a new register.
The former MP, downplayed the heedfulness and call on supporters of the new register, and urge government as well, to mediate in the raging issue for peace to prevail.
The EC has been given the nod by parliament, to use only passport and NIA card as an eligibility criteria for persons who want to pass through the registration process which is slated for 30th June, 2020.
The is was after the Commission furnished the August House of Ghana, with a legislative instrument 126 (CI -126) which has been passed neutralizing the CI -191.
The New Patriotic Party, secured 106 votes country, and 92 votes on the part of the minority members of parliament.
Tuesday’s Parliamentary sitting was characterized by disagreements by both the majority and minority MPs.
The MP for Tamale South, and leader of the minority caucus in Parliament, HON. Haruna Iddrisu after the debates and adoption of motion in the House, told the press that, his side would do any length to protect the sanctity of ordinary Ghanaians who risk being disenfranchised following the directive by the EC, and that of Parliament.
On their part the majority MPs, said the minority’s defensive posture smacks of a defeatist mindset, and that the EC is on the right track. HON OB Amoah, revealed to the media, that the move by the MPs ought to be commended and lauded since the use of birth certificate has never been the only source document to ascertain who is a Ghanaian.
Meanwhile, the Supreme is yet to determine whether or the EC erred in its quest to use only passport, and the National Identification Authority Card for the June 30th exercise, as is in the case brought before it by the National Democratic Congress ( NDC) legal team.
Mr. Appiah Ofori is of the position that, it would become a bad precedent if the country decides to draft an entirely new voters register for elections in future.
Nana Dogbe / ahotoronline.com
