EC should show commitment to fair elections - NDC Chairman

Accra, Aug 24, GNA - The Electoral Commission (EC) has been urged to show its commitment to a free and fair election devoid of violence and conflict.

Speaking in Accra on Saturday, the Chairman of the Odododiodioo Constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Daniel Okai, said days after the extension of the recent registration of voters the EC was registering some people at its headquarters in Accra. He said as on the 16th and 17th of August long queues could be seen at the EC headquarters of people being registered.

Enquiries at the EC indicated that the Commission was engaged in what it called "protocol registration" while other officials claimed it was only replacing lost identity cards of voters who had called at the headquarters with the problem, he said.

Mr Okai stated that, while it did not doubt the integrity of the Commission to conduct a free and fair election its operations must be "above board" in a transparent manner to avoid both pre and post election violence, which could throw the country into conflict.

He gave the particulars of a registration receipt with polling station number C050334 for one Alagum Ene Anyederry, a male age 26 issued on 12 August 2008 as one of the voters registered at the headquarters. According to Mr Okai, those registered at the EC would be transferred to various polling stations to vote and said he was aware that some of them had been sent to his constituency.

He cautioned the EC to avoid the situation where there would be many challenges when the Voters Register was exhibited for public scrutiny, which could create tension before, during and after the elections.

"This year's election is very crucial since we must maintain the peace and tranquillity the country has been enjoying over the years for posterity", he said.

The NDC Constituency Chairman noted that the electoral guidelines of the EC stipulate that registration of voters was centred around residence and polling stations and questioned why the Commission would register people at its headquarters and transfer them to polling stations instead of the voters registering at the polling station nearest their residences.

He said, "I hope this is not a ploy to beef up the voters of a particular or any party in their Waterloo areas", adding that such a move would be a recipe for election violence and conflict.

Mr Okai called on the EC to come out with the list of those it had registered under "the so-called protocol registration" and where they would be transferred to avoid doubts and suspicion.