Blame Mahama if violence erupts over electoral roll - PPP

President John Dramani Mahama is the one confusing the Electoral Commission of Ghana, and should any violence erupt over the credibility of the electoral roll, blame President Mahama, the Progressive People's Party (PPP) has stated.

According to the party, the brouhaha over the credibility of the voters’ register is needless because the credibility of the register lies with the National Identification System, which is in a mess under the incompetent Mahama-led administration.

In an interview with Rainbow Radio's Nyankonton Mu Nsem, the Policy Advisor of the PPP said the ruling by the Supreme Court ordering the deletion of persons who registered with the NHIS cards would not guarantee a credible register.

"The ruling by the Supreme Court is much ado about nothing. What we were looking for was a credible register. This will not give us a credible register. The ruling will not solve our problem because there will be minors, foreigners and dead persons on the register; besides, the EC will not delete fully the names of persons who had registered with the NHIS cards, so what are we talking about.

"I said, blame President Mahama for all the confusion., He has deliberately failed to do the right thing. This level of incompetence being exhibited is unfortunate. It's about time we tell him in the face to do the right thing."

Kofi Asamoah Siaw said it is extremely sad that for the past 10 years, we have failed to implement fully the National Identification System.

He accused President Mahama of deliberately under-resourcing the National Identification Authority (NIA) to carry out their mandate fully.

The National Identification Authority (NIA) was set up in 2003 under the Office of the President with the mandate to issue national ID cards and manage the National Identification System (NIS).

This resulted in the passing of the National Identification Authority Act, 2006 (Act 707) to give it the necessary legal premise on which to operate.

The National Identity Register Act, 2008 (Act 750) was also passed to give authorisation for collection of personal and biometric data and to ensure the protection of privacy and personal information of the enrolled.

The PPP has held the view that to ensure a credible voters' register, a cost-effective data of citizens, government should resource the Authority to implement its mandate fully.

However, the exercise has stalled for years. This, Kofi Asamoah Siaw blames on the incompetence of government, and until Ghanaians begin to hit hard at the President, we will continue to be 'fighting' for the credibility of the register.

Kofi Asamoah Siaw chided President Mahama for his constant call on citizens to allow the EC to do it work peacefully.

He insisted, it President Mahama who is rather confusing the Commission.