EC disregarded advice to extend consultations on voters register – CODEO

Co-chairperson of the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) and Spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu has questioned the narrative behind the Electoral Commission’s decision to go ahead with setting deadlines regarding the compiling of a new voter’s register.

Backing the advice by the Eminent Advisory Committee for the EC to extend consultations and dialogues regarding the voter’s register, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu intimated that he was at loss at the stance by the electoral body.

Speaking to www.ghanaweb.com, he stressed that his outfit was not interested in interfering in the work of the Electoral Commission nor the eventual winner of the polls.

He bemoaned that the division of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee forced the EC to take up the helm and draw the line.

He, nonetheless, intimated that there was the need to be vigilant so that the right procedure is carried out to prevent any manipulation of the system.

Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu also rubbished claims of taking on the opposition NDC as well as backing the compilation of a new voters register.

“…we’re backing the advice of the Eminent persons to the EC to extend the consultations. As to why the EC has fixed the 18th of April against the advice given, we are unable to answer that question. So, it is better for someone from the EC to explain how they understood that advise.

IPAC is divided, those who support the idea and those who do not, so the EC is left with no option than to be in charge of the process…
My advice is that let’s mobilise and monitor the process very well, such that even if there’s some intention to manipulate the system, that intention will be revealed,” he explained.

“ The consultation we have must begin with the recognition of the mandate of the EC as an independent election management body,” he added.