Kufuor calls for extension of revision of voters' register

Accra, May 15, GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate for this year's election, Mt John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday called on the Electoral Commission to extend the period of the revision of the voters' register.

"I am still receiving reports from across the country of registration centres that do not have registration forms," he said in a signed statement to the Press in Accra. The statement said: "The Electoral Commission does not have the power to disenfranchise any citizen. I am, therefore, calling on them in the strongest terms, to extend the registration period and ensure that those registration centres that have not had enough forms have them so that no one is denied their right to vote."

The Electoral Commission (EC) said on Monday that it will not extend the date for the revision of the voters' register. In a statement signed by Mr David Kangah, Deputy Chairman in charge of operations, the EC said: "It is the considered decision of the commission for the exercise to end as scheduled, today, Monday, 15th May, 2000.

"The Commission recognises that the present queues at the registration centres are largely for the issuance of photos or replacement of lost Ids "The commission will make appropriate arrangements to issue photo ID cards to those who have been registered but are yet to take their photographs.

Replacement of lost ID cards is still on-going at the commission's district offices." The EC had said many people who have lost their ID cards or changed residence have been rushing to re-register, thus putting pressure on the number of forms that have been issued to the polling stations.