New voters register for 2020 elections ‘needless’ – Gyampo

Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana Professor Ransford Gyampo says the Electoral Commission (EC) announcement of plans to compile a new voter’s register for the 2020 general elections will deepen mistrust between them and opposition parties.

According to him, the body responsible for the country’s election process should work hard to erode suspicion rather than putting in place administratively pious policies that deepens suspicion and further dissipate confidence among a section of the opposition.

His comments comes after the Electoral Commission’s decision for a new register after an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on Wednesday.

The EC said it made the decision in consultation with political parties. It has said the new register will include enhancing features, making it worthy of Ghana’s democracy.

Reacting to the EC’s announcement, Professor Gyampo said “At this crucial point in the electoral politics of Ghana, I believe the EMB must work hard to erode suspicion rather than putting in place administratively pious policies that deepens suspicion and further dissipate confidence among a section of the opposition. The EMB must garner the support of all and work with all to rebuild its image”.

He challenged the EC to prove that there is an immediate need for a new register.