New voters register: NIA is the solution - Nduom

2012 Flag-bearer of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, has opined that the continuous registration of citizens who turn 18 and bear a national identification card is the only solution to the inconsistencies identified in the country’s voters register.

According to Dr. Nduom, the National Identification Authority (NIA) when better resourced and equipped can provide a secured national datable to assist the Electoral Commission (EC) in that manner.

“The back and forth arguing about whether we need a new voters’ register or not is not the most productive thing to do. We know the problems embedded in the voters’ register—bloated, mistake-laden, existence of non-citizens and minors, etc. But let us stop playing the game of who is the best expert at defining the problem. We need solutions. And the key lies at the doorstep of the National Identification Authority (NIA). Without the NIA, any solution will be short-lived,” he wrote on his Facebook wall yesterday.

Against this background, he warned that any attempt to clean up the current register needs an acceptable identifier for everyone in that database who in this case is the NIA.

Dr. Nduom also challenged President John Dramani Mahama to tell Ghanaians where he sits on the task of strengthening the NIA.

“Any friendly country or organisation that wants to see a credible 2016 elections should help provide the resources to the NIA to ensure the building of a secure data base of Ghanaians,” he urged.

He further indicated in his post that the private sector in Ghana has proven that they can execute the task of building a comprehensive database of citizens within six months.

“The Progressive People's Party is going all out to push for this solution because it will support the cause of our national development in other areas as well—financial sector, disciplines, criminal justice, etc.

"…it is time to stop the noise and needless threats to our peace of mind. 2016 will come and we will have the elections. The question is, will we know peace and stability after the votes are cast and counted?”