General News of Thursday, 21 May 2020

Source: starrfm.com.gh

New Voters’ register: EC’s persistence a recipe for disaster – NDC

Deputy General Secretary of NDC, Peter Boamah Otukonor Deputy General Secretary of NDC, Peter Boamah Otukonor

The deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Peter Boamah Otukunor has described EC’s decision to go ahead with the compilation with the new Voters’ register as a recipe for disaster.

The Electoral Commission on Wednesday stated that not more than 25 people will be permitted at a registration centre at a given time when it begins the mass voter registration exercise for the December polls.

According to Communications Director for the Commission, Sylvia Annor, the commission will put the necessary safety protocols in place to ensure that Ghanaians are adequately protected against COVID-19 contraction while undertaking the exercise.

“At each point in time, we will ensure that we do not have more than 25 persons including the officials at any registration centre…People coming to register will be given hand sanitizers before they enter the registration centre, you need to wear a face mask, without a face mask you cannot enter a registration centre. There will be no crowding at the registration centre, I can assure you”.

The EC has also reiterated its position that existing Voter’s ID cards will not be accepted as proof of identity during the registration exercise.

But Speaking on Morning Starr Thursday, Mr Otukunor stated that the EC’s decision to go ahead with the compilation is likely to disenfranchise over 10 million Ghanaians who are on the current voters’ register.

According to him, several eligible Ghanaians without the Ghana Card will be unable to register for the upcoming elections which could lead to chaos.

Mr Otukunor added that the NDC will explore legally possible options to ensure that the EC rescinds its decision.