We have been snubbed- Chiefs and people of Akuse

The Chiefs and people of Akuse on Wednesday said they have been eliminated from the on-going Biometric registration exercise and therefore called on the Electoral Commission to follow the law.

At a press conference organized by the Chief and people of all the six electoral areas in Akuse, Mr George Amanor, Spokesperson for the Chief of Akuse, said: “The Electoral Commission should be the first to champion the rule of Law, they should ignore the private inter-meddling effort of the Lower Manya District Assembly Chief Executive to undermine the rule of law.”

Referring to a Daily Graphic publication on 24th of March, Mr Amanor said the Electoral Commission (EC) was not carrying out the registration in the area because the District Security Committee of the Lower Manya Krobo District Assembly had directed the EC to suspend the exercise in the area.

He said: “It is important to remind the general public especially EC that, we the people of Akuse who live in six specifically designed electoral areas namely: Akutue, Osorkutu, Salom, Zongo, Bungalow and Amedeka are not taking part in the Exercise.”

Mr Amanor noted that, all the inhabitants of the six electoral areas, were inhabited by people who are Osudokus and owe allegiance to the Osudoku Traditional Council.

“We condemn with all vehemence the pretension of the Lower Manya Krobo District Assembly Chief Executive who is still reeling under the serious misapprehension that the six electoral areas belong to Lower Manya Krobo District Assembly,” he said and urged the EC to rescind its decision and come to Akuse to register the people.

The EC had earlier announced the suspension of the registration exercise in the area with the reason that there was a legal suit in the area.

A statement issued by the EC acknowledged that, “In view of a pending suit before the Supreme Court in a matter in which Charles Mate Kole and another are challenging the placement of the above mentioned electoral areas of the Lower Manya Krobo District under the Dangme West District in L.I. 1983.

"The Electoral Commission has decided to put registration of voters in the affected electoral areas on hold until the determination of the matter by the Supreme Court on the June 13."

The Commission however assured all eligible voters in the affected electoral areas that it would make and announce arrangements for them to be registered as soon as the decision of the Supreme Court was made known.**