The Managing Editor of the Daily Dispatch newspaper, Ben Ephson, has described as a “dangerous precedent”, the main opposition National Democratic Congress’ resort to pastors and churches to implore them to help stop the Electoral Commission (EC) from compiling a new register of voters.
The pollster said the NDC’s action, if not checked, will be replicated in the future by other groups against the election management body.
Speaking on Ghana Yen Som on Accra100.5FM with Kwabena Prah Jnr on Friday, 10 January 2020, Mr Ephson said: “The NDC calling on the clergy to stop the EC from compiling the new register, I think that it’s a dangerous precedent”.
The NDC and some other opposition parties have planned a series of demonstrations starting Saturday, 11 January 2020 across the country to mount pressure on the EC to stop its plan of compiling a new register.
Mr Ephson, however, believes the demonstration will not change anything.
According to him, this is not the first time that changes are being made to the electoral roll in an election year.
He urged the NDC and those opposed to the EC’s plan to seek redress in court. “If you don’t understand something, an arm of governance determines whether something is legal or not; this is not a matter of appealing to somebody’s emotions, no. If you don’t understand it, go to the Supreme Court for that interpretation to be done as to whether or not the EC has the power to compile a new register. It’s as simple as that. The demonstrations won’t change anything”.