"We Know Politics" and partners call on women to register in their numbers

The partners of the “We Know Politics" project on Monday called on all eligible Ghanaian women to come out in their numbers to register with the Electoral Commission in the ongoing Biometric Voter Registration exercise.

The partners of the “We Know Politics” initiative comprise the Women in Law Development in Africa (WiLDAF) Ghana, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA –Ghana), The Hunger Project – Ghana and the Gender Studies and Human Rights Documentation Centre (Gender Centre).

A press release signed by Frank Wilson Bodza, Programme Manager for Goverance of WiLDAF and copied to the GNA in Accra said it was only when women registered that they could also vote and be voted for in the December 7, 2012 general elections and therefore called on all women of 18 years and above and particularly those who have attained the age of 18 years since the last elections in 2008, to take the responsibility of having their names on the Electoral Commission’s voter register.

It said women should not be prevented by their household chores to register but should strive as women who will want more women to win the elections come December 2012, adding “Your only responsibility to your fellow woman is to register now for any future elections. It is therefore imperative for women to honor this Constitutional obligation by pouring out in your numbers to register from 24th March to 5th May 2012”.

The statement noted that the Biometric Registration will take place at each Registration Centre for 10 Days before it moves to another area and that the rotation will continue for 43 days. It added that, “Again we wish to bring to the notice of all women that the Biometric Kits and all equipment for the registration have no negative effect on fertility nor will it bring any disease to any woman; there is therefore nothing to fear about health or fertility when you register with the kits. Every woman who wants to register must report early at the registration centers”.

It stated that all Registration Centers will be opened at 7:00 am and closed at 6:00 pm, and noted that women must also take along any of the following national identification cards: a Ghanaian Passport, National Identification Card, National Health Insurance Card, or Driver's License.

The Registrant will also be asked to provide some information on her nationality, such as the names of her parents, whether they were living or dead, home town , house number, Town or City of Abode, and District where home town is located, among others.**