Voters' Register: Intervene now before it's too late - Group petitions religious groups, CSO's

The stand-off between the Electoral Commission and some political parties over the compilation of new voters' roll could land the nation in a civil war, the African Center for Women in Politics (ACWP) has said.

According to the think tank, media war between the EC and the parties does not bode well for the country as it prepares for the 2020 elections.

In a statement issues on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, it appealed to some civil and religious organizations to intervene and find a “mediatory strategy to help diffuse the tensions and restore confidence and trust in the electoral process”.

"It is obvious that the trust and goodwill that existed between the Electoral Commission and the political parties is fast fading and an urgent intervention is need to avert a slide of our nation into civil conflict".

"It is against this background that ACWP is appealing to eminent, moral, civic, an intellectual voices such as the Catholic Bishops Conference, the National House of Chiefs, the former presidents, the Christian Council of Ghana, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), the Institute of Democracy and Development (IDEG), the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Ghana (CVCG), the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), etc. to as a matter of urgency, workout a mediatory strategy to help diffuse the tensions and restore confidence and trust in the electoral process", excerpts of the statement read.

Below is the full statement

The African Center for Women in Politics (ACWP) has noted with a deep worry the current deadlock between the Electoral Commission of the Republic of Ghana and some political parties on the issue of voters register for the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. We are particularly concerned because the Electoral Commission has over the years earned an enviable reputation as an institution that prioritizes deliberative decision making and consensus-building. The ongoing banter and media war between the Commission and some of its major stakeholders is a scar on our otherwise fledging democracy.

It is obvious that the trust and goodwill that existed between the Electoral Commission and the political parties is fast fading and an urgent intervention is need to avert a slide of our nation into civil conflict. It is against this background that ACWP is appealing to eminent, moral, civic, an intellectual voices such as the Catholic Bishops Conference, the National House of Chiefs, the former presidents, the Christian Council of Ghana, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), the Institute of Democracy and Development (IDEG), the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Ghana (CVCG), the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), etc. to as a matter of urgency, workout a mediatory strategy to help diffuse the tensions and restore confidence and trust in the electoral process.

While recognizing the independence of the Electoral Commission, it is important to note that as a state institution, the Commission has a responsibility to operate in a manner that earns the confidence of all the citizenry. Elections have visited conflicts upon several nations including some in our sub-region, and the situation in Ghana presently has all the trappings of a country on the brink of chaos. It is common knowledge that in conflict situation, women and children are not only the most vulnerable, but the victims. It is against this knowledge of experience from other jurisdictions that we are urging the Electoral Commission to be alive to enormity of the responsibility it shoulders, and carry the nation with it to peace and not conflict.

In the meantime, we call on the political parties and the other stakeholders opposed to the Commission’s decision to compile a new voters’ register to moderate their activism and mobilization and commit to any efforts designed to end the stalemate to pave the way for constructive dialogue. For as long as there is an opportunity to engage in constructive deliberations, we urge the EC and the political parties to seize the moment and allow final outcomes to be produced from the deliberative processes.

It is only in a deliberation process that the various stakeholders can speak and listen to each other in respect and candor and develop a collective decision in the spirit of compromise and consensus. It goes without saying that it is in the interest of our country that we all work towards a free, fair and transparent elections come December 7, 2020.

Thank you.

Signed Alimatu Issahak Executive Director 024 422 2675

Eunice Yogri, PhD Head, Gender and Policy 024 445 4644

Beryl Efua Abban Ag. Head, Political Desk 05 4674 6466