Divergent opinions on new register is the beauty of democracy – NPP’s Buaben Asamoa

The expression of divergent opinions by civil societies and political parties concerning the Electoral Commission’s decision to compile the new voters' register is good for the nation’s democracy, National Communication Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Yaw Buaben Asamoa, has said.

He told the Ghana News Agency that the advancement of arguments both in favour and against a decision needs to be made in order for achieve progress.

“The beauty of democracy is that everyone is allowed to be heard. Such opinions must be respected. After the expression of views a decision will have to be made and once that is done all must support the decision to make it succeed,” he said.

“Now the argument about the cost of compiling the new register and timing has been overtaken by events. The cost of reviving the old register could be very high because it involves importing equipment because the current sets we are told are obsolete. This means the EC has to order and wait”.

Mr Buaben Asamoa who is also the Member of Parliament of Adentan Constituency said the timing would not permit for the EC to import equipment and undertake refurbishment before the registration.

“At this point in time, the new equipment has arrived and considering the situation we need to make use of what we have and do it quickly in the interest of the nation,” he said.

Mr Asamoa said the NPP was in agreement with the Commission because the party was of the firm belief that the register was bloated.

Mr Asamoa urged the public to support the EC to discharge its mandate to ensure a transparent, free and fair elections.

Touching on the importance of participating in electoral processes, he said politics was important and good politics facilitate development in all spheres of human endeavour and that was the kind of politics the NPP offered to the people of Ghana.

He appealed to the public to participate in the upcoming registration exercise with care to enable them to vote massively for the NPP to preserve their way of life.

Mr Asamoa advised the public to protect themselves by adhering to the precautionary measures instituted to ensure that they stay safe.