EC boss will be first to suffer if things go bad – NDC Youth Organiser

The National Youth Organiser of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr George Opare Addo, has said the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs Jean Mensa would be the first person to suffer if violence erupts in the country, either in the run-up to the December polls or afterwards.

According to him, there is a thin line between peace and instability, and, therefore, advised the EC boss to ensure that her decision to compile a new voter roll does not plunge the country into chaos.

He charged Mrs Mensa to rescind her decision in order for peace to prevail, adding that the NDC will not allow the EC to compile a new register in the interest of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Speaking with Kwabena Jnr Prah (The Don) on 'Ghana Yensom' on Accra 100.5FM, Mr Opare Addo warned that Ghana is not bigger than the countries that have suffered electoral violence, adding that it only takes a little misunderstanding for such violence to occur.

The NDC Youth Organiser stressed that the EC boss will be the first port of call for the international community should violence erupt in Ghana, adding that Ghanaians cannot be refugees in other countries.

“I've said it and I’m saying it again that there is a thin line between peace and instability… Let me also assure Jean Mensa that she'll be the first person to suffer the casualty in case something untoward happens, she should do the right thing that will bring peace. Ghana is not bigger than other jurisdictions where electoral violence is recorded.

“Violence will only occur when there is a misunderstanding. The EC is the first port of call in case there is any electoral violence, so, Jean Mensa has a bigger responsibility; she should remember that Nana Oduro Amin Appau, Afari Gyan, Charlotte Osei all have occupied her position before; they all administered elections in the country and there were free, fair and peaceful…” he said.

The NDC and other parties have vehemently kicked against the decision by the EC to compile a new voter register through various demonstrations and press conferences.

But the EC insists the integrity of the 2020 polls could be undermined if a new roll and a new Biometric Voter Management System are not put in place.