Special Regional IPAC meeting held in Kumasi

Kumasi, May 1, GNA- A Special Regional Inter Party Advisory Committee Forum on Building Stakeholders Confidence in the outcome of the 2008 Presidential and Parliamentary elections was on Friday held in Kumasi. The Forum organized by the Electoral Commission (EC) in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) and the KAB Governance Consult was attended by executives of various active political parties, EC members and media personnel. Issues discussed at the Forum included "Inbuilt Integrity of Ghana's Electoral Process", an Overview of the Replacement of Lost ID Cards", "The Forthcoming Voters' Registration Exercise-Expectations", and "Towards Credible Elections-Expectations".

Mr Isaac Boateng, Director of the Commission in-charge of Finance, speaking on the Voters' Register, said the register would be revised possibly in June as the nation prepares for the December election. He said it is a limited registration exercise meant for persons who have turned 18 since the last registration exercise, as well as people who for one reason or the other could not avail themselves of the opportunity offered during the last registration exercise. Mr Boateng pointed out that, apart from people who have turned 18, others who desired to register would be required to show proof of why they could not register during the previous exercise. He said the revision would be electoral based and there would be a little over 5,000 centres nationwide, adding that, unlike the major registration period where the centres are located at polling stations, a centre would be established within an electoral area and a location designated as such. He hoped the people would abide by the regulations governing the exercise and would avoid any act that would negatively affect the credibility of the exercise.

"The Commission further expects that each eligible but unregistered voter will take advantage of the exercise to ensure that his or her name is entered on the Voters Register to enable him or her exercise their franchise in the election", he said. Mr Boateng was also optimistic that Political Parties would assist the Commission to weed out all unscrupulous elements, who would want to undermine the credibility of the exercise.

Mrs Pauline Dadzawa, a member of the Commission, who presided, appealed to political parties to engage knowledgeable polling agents and also cooperate with the EC to ensure that electoral processes work effectively. She stressed the need for political activities to respect the legitimate authority of the security enforcement agencies, which was essential for the peaceful conduct of elections. Mrs Dadzawa told party executives not to encourage the registration of minors and always bring their grievances first to the commission before going to the Press.