Political parties criticize EC

Nkawkaw, April 21, GNA - Mr Bismark Tawiah Boateng, Eastern Regional Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticized the Electoral Commission (EC) for not involving political parties on issues about the re-opening of the voters register from April 21-30.

The Commission would re-open the register in all the 5,000 polling stations nation-wide for citizens who had attained 18 years and those who were not in the country during the previous registration exercise to register.

However, a statement issued in Accra on Thursday by the Commission said re-opening of the voters register had been re-scheduled to Friday, May 5 to Sunday, May 14.

Addressing Ward Co-ordinators of the party within the Nkawkaw constituency at Nkawkaw on Thursday, Mr Boateng regretted that the Commission failed to meet representatives of the political parties to discuss the exercise on the number of cameras to be used and advertise in the media to educate the people.

He advised the Ward Co-ordinators on their return to the Wards, to educate party supporters who were 18 years and above to register during the exercise to enable them exercise their franchise during the forthcoming district assembly's elections and the 2008 general elections.

Mr Boateng advised those who had lost their photo Identity cards to report to the police and the District Electoral Officers for replacement but not to re-register since that would lead to double registration. He condemned the people's assemblies being organized in the districts and described them as "waste of resources" since the Government had failed to solve the numerous problems raised by the people at those fora.

Mr Boateng suggested that assembly members should rather organize the for a in their electoral areas and invite Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to answer questions raised by the people. He advised supporters of the party to avoid attacking personalities but rather unite, co-operate and contest the district assembly's elections in the various electoral areas for them to return the party to power in the 2008 general elections.