NDC accusation against IEA funny – IEA Boss

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has described accusation by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the institute is trying to usurp the Electoral Commission’s powers as funny.

The institute is set to hold a debate today for or against a new voters’ register ahead of the 2016 elections, but the NDC has pulled out of the engagement because the IEA competing with the EC over the Voters Register issue; which is unacceptable.”

The party per a press release signed by its General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia says it finds it surprising that the IEA is organizing this debate after it was part of a decision that was taken by the Ghana Political Parties Programme (GPPP), that the EC should be in-charge of this matter.

The NDC insist once the EC has opened its doors for submissions from political parties, as well as Civil Society Groups if the IEA has some concerns, it should be channeled to the EC.

However, speaking to Joy News, the Executive Director of the IEA, Mrs Jean Mensa, said though the NDC is entitled to its opinion, its charge against the IEA is laughable.

She said the institute has been a leader of thought on national issues in the country for the past 25 years and will continue in that regard.

Mrs Mensah added that the debate for a new voters register for the next general election is not a party issue, but a matter of national concern which all stakeholders must endeavor to reach a decision on.

Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission (EC) is expected to hold a forum in the last week of October during which political parties are expected to make presentations on whether there is a need or not for a new voters register to be compiled ahead of the 2016 election.

The EC expects that at the end of this forum, a consensus would have been reached on this matter which has sparked a raging public debate among political parties and other civil society organizations.

Two opposition parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Progressive Peoples Party (PPP), are spearheading the crusade for a new voters register to be compiled ahead of the 2016 elections which promises to be keenly contested.

The two parties claim that the current album is fraught with anomalies. NPP claims there are over 76,000 Togolese Nationals on the electoral roll. However, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) thinks otherwise, insist putting together an entirely new album is a waste of resources.