Chairperson of the electoral commission Mrs. Jean Mensah and executive secretary for the National Identification Authority Prof. Ken Attafuah were grilled by MPs Tuesday February 28, 2023 on the new CI seeking to make Ghana card the only identification for voter registration.
The meeting of the committee of the whole travelled into the late hours of last night.
The EC boss in her presentation argued the scrapping of the guarantor system in the new CI is to enhance the credibility and integrity of the electoral roll.
She disclosed the new CI will ensure continuous registration where anybody voter can walk to the offices of the commission to register all year round.
Her presentation was however not that smooth as she was heckled by the minority especially when Jean Mensah started praising the commission she heads in the conduct of the 2020 elections.
This drew shoutings of ‘shame shame shame’ especially from Tamale Central MP Murtala Mohammed who was subsequently asked to withdraw by the speaker.
Prof. Ken Attafuah of the NIA disclosed there are challenges with the issuance of the Ghana card but added such challenges will be resolved if funds are provided. He assured every potential voter will be issued with the Ghana card before the 2024 elections. Prof.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta on his part announced 80 of the 100 million cedis allocation of the NIA has been paid. He added processes had commenced for the payment of the remaining balance of 20 million.
Mr. Ofori-Atta further assured moving forward funds will be released on time to the authority.
Then came the questions from MPs from both sides with the minority pointing out the commission can do whenever it wants to do even with the current CI. The NDC MPs largely questioned the basis of the new CI.
Some majority MPs through their questions supported the decision of the EC asking what the minority is afraid of
Jean Mensah and Prof. Ken Attafuah took turns to answer the questions.
The two will have a date with the MPs again on Thursday since the issues were not exhausted.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Ibrahim Alhassan
