National Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) and Ghanaians to ignore the provocation and empty threats of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) against the compilation of a new register.

According to him, the attacks on the Electoral Commission (EC) are absolutely needless as any attempt to subject the EC to the control and direction of any person or authority is unconstitutional and totally misguided.

In a press statement copied to Peacefmonline.com, Chairman Freddie Blay indicated that the compilation of a new register by the Electoral Commission is constitutional as it is enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.

“The 1992 Constitution clearly states out the functions of the Electoral Commission which includes compiling the register of voters and revise same at such periods as may be determined by law, and it to undertake programs for the expansion of the registration of voters,” he mentioned.

He said that the opposition’s attempt to keep shifting the opposing goalpost from the cost of procuring a new voter register to the cost of lives for going through a progressive electoral process clearly demonstrates their inconsistencies and hypocrisy.

Freddie Blay stressed that those vehemently opposing to the compilation of a new voters’ register, weaving their arguments around the potential exponential COVID-19 deaths and infections are in pursuit of their parochial and self-serving interests.

“They seem to forget that the December 7 elections would not be any different, because Ghanaians would be expected to queue in lines to cast their votes and also witness the votes counted and recorded as prescribed in the 1992 constitution,” he scored.

He was of the view that the efforts by nay sayers and warmongers like Major Boakye-Djan, Asiedu Nketia and Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah to suppress the citizenry with fear is, to say the least, wicked, opportunistic and unfortunate.

“ . . the CSO Alliance and Inter-Party Resistance Against the New Voters' Register should spare Ghanaians the provocative and empty threats of chaos, confusion, bloodshed and death in the name of protecting the constitution,” he scolded.

He added that the NDC leadership in less than four years in opposition was already exhibiting frustration, triggering their irresponsible utterances.

He however urged Ghanaians not to give value to the currency of the arguments of the opposition NDC that Ghana cannot compile a new register due to COVID-19, as it is as bad an opinion that suggests there can be no election this year.

Freddie Blay said his ruling NPP is confident that irrespective of the protocols and restrictions brought about by COVID-19, the nation would always rise to the occasion of protecting and exercising constitutional rights, including going through a new electoral process.

He added that the advent of COVID-19 has offered Ghanaians a great opportunity to work together in terms attitudinal change towards collectively building a disciplined and prosperous nation.