The General Secretaries of the ruling National Democratic Congress and the opposition New Patriotic Party have clashed over calls by a section of Ghanaians on the electoral commission to abandon the electoral register used for the 2012 general elections and prepare a new one to ensure credible elections come 2016.
The chief scribes Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah of the NDC and Mr. Kwabena Agyapong of the NPP were also on different wavelengths concerning the appointment of a new chairman of the Electoral Commission.
In an interview on the current burning issue on Rainbow Radio 87.5fm breakfast show, Hon. Asiedu Nketiah disagreed with those calling for a new voters register. He stated categorically that the calls are being made only by the New Patriotic Party operatives.
He admitted that though the register used in the 2012 general elections cannot be said to be a perfect document it is accurate for now. The administrative head of the National Democratic Congress noted that the register could contain names of some underage people and dead persons no one could base on those factors to call for a totally new register.
He said due to the biometric system adopted, no one could vote in the name of a dead person while little can be done about the underage people who registered.
Hon Asiedu Nketiah said the NPP must bring suggestions as how those two issues could be dealt with. He was blank that the New Patriotic Party wants to confuse Ghanaians by calling for a new register so they could register the underage in their strongholds.
On calls by President Mahama to consult widely before appointing a new chairman for the electoral commission, Hon. Asiedu Nketiah said that debate is a waste of time.
He asked that people allow the constitutional provisions in the appointment of an EC boss by President Mahama can not affect the results of any elections since the commission members are 7 and were not appointed by one President.
Analysing the issues, the General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, Kwabena Agyapong questioned the rationale behind the stance of his opponent asking him to tell Ghanaians the benefits the National Democratic Congress stands to gain if the register is maintained.
He analysed that per the current voter register, the voter population is more than 75% of the total population of the country and observed that it can never be the case. Citing example of Nigeria, the chief scribe of the NPP observed that the voter population was less than 45% of the entire population of the country hence noting that Ghana’s electoral register is bloated.
Mr. Kwabena Agyei Agyapong noted that electoral disputes have cost the world and therefore charged stakeholders to be circumspect in ensuring that the right t5hings be done for Ghana to have credible register.
Speaking further on the activities of the Electoral Commission under the chairmanship of Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, Mr. Kwabena Agyapong said the out- going EC boss has caused financial loss to the state per the botched district assembly elections.
He attacked the image of Dr. Afari Gyan saying the man is retiring w3ith dented image.
