The coalition of Concerned Youth of all ethnic groups in the Kusaag kingdom says the electoral commission is charting a dangerous path with its decision to compile a new voter’s register few months to elections.
According to the group, a huge chunk of their members will be disenfranchised if the EC insists on going through with the new register idea.
“We have concluded the Electoral Commission is charting a dangerous path and if care is not taken their actions could plunge this peaceful and harmonious country into chaos.
“We, therefore appeal to well-meaning Ghanaians including the National Peace Council, Religious Bodies, the National House of Chiefs, Civil Society Organizations and all labour Unions to add their voices to avert the calamitous path the Electoral Commission led by Jane Mensah is leading us to,” the group said in a statement.
It called on the commission to instead conduct as soon as possible a limited voter registration for individuals who turned 18 years to add their names to the electoral roll
Below are details of a statement by the group
PRESS STATEMENT BY COALITION OF CONCERNED YOUTH OF ALL ETHNIC GROUPS IN THE KUSAAG KINGDOM ON THE EC DECISION TO COMPILE A NEW ELECTORAL REGISTER FOR THE 2020 ELECTION
Friends from the media, good morning and thank you for honouring our invitation despite the short notice. We intend to make this press briefing a short one. It’s an urgent one intended to protect and safeguard the fundamental human rights of the people of Kusaag; the right to vote as enshrined in Chapter 7, Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
Indeed we feel spited that by the stroke of a pen a Constitutional Instrument pending maturity in Parliament will empower the Electoral Commission to compile a new register of voters with requirement restricted to the national Identity card and passports, which many citizens in our part of the country have been denied or do not have.
Ladies and gentlemen of the media, we deem it a duty to add our voices to several calls by Civil society groups, political parties, the academia, National House of Chiefs, reliigous leaders, some labour unions, constitutional lawyers, security analysts, political groupings and other well meaning Ghanaians to the EC to immediately halt its intended new voter register compilation exercise with just five (5) months to go for the December 7, general elections.
We the coalition of concerned youth of all the ethnic groups in the Kusaag Kingdom, drawn from the six districts namely: Bawku Municipal, Garu District, Binduri District, Tempane District, Pusiga District and Zebilla District of the Upper East Region vehemently reject the EC agenda, which we believe is a ticking bomb.
Consequently, we wish to make public the views of the youth in the Kusaag Kingdom.
- We believe the timing is absolutely inappropriate especially because the national IDs or Ghana Cards is not available to tens of thousands within our jurisdiction by no fault of theirs, an admission by the National Identification Authority which is contemplating a mop up exercise under conditions uncertain to all about its efficiency.
In 2012, though the Commission spent ten(10) days at each Polling Station for the registration of voters, there are reports many people were disenfranchzed. Its rather unfortuante that the EC is on that wrong path, even more serious because it intends to spend only six days at each registration center under COVID-19 restrictions and in this rainy season where weather conditions are unpredictable.
- Again we are deeply concerned about the EC’s attempt to redefine Ghanaian citizenship, where birth certificates that gave legality to both documents, are rendered useless but the Commission finds it comfortable for someone to vouch for an eligible voter.This sounds so bizarre.
Indeed we think, it may take rocket science to understand this weird logic. We strongly believe it is a sure way to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands if not millions in this part of the country.
The Electoral Commission must appreciate the fact that over 50% of our brothers and sisters in this part of the country were unable to register for the Ghana card because of NIA’s own failure. In fact, 95.8% of those who registered were never issued with the card. Again, because many communities are relatively deprive, less that 0.5% own passports. We believe vouching for people as recommended in the CI 126 will be difficult, unfair and a sure way to deny us our voting rights. From our previous experience during the limited registration exercise, we share deep concern about safety measures announed and the possible spread of COVID-19.
- We are all aware that, the current voters’ register was used in December last year to successfully elect about 6,600 Assembly Members and about 33,000 Unit Committee members. The same register was used in 2012 to elect John Mahama as President, in 2016 to elect President Akufo Addo and all the current 275 Members of Parliament, used for the referendum that created the six new regions, an exercise EC itself described as very successful, the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-elections. Is it not strange that after using same register for a major elections as in the Assembly elections, EC will turn around weeks later in january 2020 to discredit its own database?
- We have noted with grave concern the rising political tensions and the ‘macho man’ attitude of the Electoral Commissioners, which is still defiant and reluctant to reason with eminent persons and groupd calling for broader concensus.
The election related crisis that distbilized our neighbouring countries should help all well meaning Ghanaians to speak out to safeguard our democracy and the peace in this country.
- Our stance is that, the current voter’s register is fit for purpose per the electoral commission’s own assessment. We entreat the electoral commission to as a matter of urgency abandon its injurious desire for a new register.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
The electoral Commission should:
- Exhibit the current Electoral Register for voters to verify their names.
- Conduct as soon as possible a limited voter registration for individuals who turned 18 years to add their names to the electoral roll.
- Act in a manner that foster trust from all political parties.
- Restore the lost relevance of IPAC through it’s(electoral commission) actions and inactions. This can be done by engaging political parties through IPAC.
- Immediately stop the pilot registration exercise as it clearly amounts to contempt of court. The matter is before the courts and the actions of the electoral commission in this regard is clearly contemptuous and prejudicial.
CONCLUSION
We have concluded the Electoral Commission is charting a dangerous path and if care is not taken their actions could plunge this peaceful and harmonious country into chaos.
We, therefore appeal to well-meaning Ghanaians including the National Peace Council, Religious Bodies, the National House of Chiefs, Civil Society Organizations and all labour Unions to add their voices to avert the calamitous path the Electoral Commission led by Jane Mensah is leading us to.
The electoral commission must be guarded by the fact that, its independence is not sarcosant.
We shall protect the rights of our people with every legitimate tool available. And we shall rise because Kusaug and the nation demand our devotion.
Thank you.
Signed
(1) Alhaji Ibrahim Musah Bissa Youth 0242630833
(2) James Abilla yahaya Bissa Youth 0246594816
(3) Kude Sibido Samson Bissa Youth 0243044096
(4) Kasim Ahmed Moshie Youth 0542113029
(5) Sumaila Ibrahim Moshie Youth 0242235082
(6) Osman Anabilla BONABOTO 0246295204
(7) Alhaji Abdul Karim Akugri BONABOTO 0548065336
(7) Bukari Francis Bimoba Youth 0246505671
(8) Akudugu David Kusasi Youth 0247524945
(8) Mussah Ibrahim Kusasi Youth 0243304315
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM