National Democratic Congress Challenges Electoral Commission’s Voter Registration Exercise

National Democratic Congress Challenges Electoral Commission’s Voter Registration Exercise

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has voiced strong opposition against the ongoing limited voter registration exercise conducted by the Electoral Commission (EC). The registration exercise, which began across the EC’s 268 district offices, has received backlash from the NDC and four other political parties. These parties had earlier filed a lawsuit against the EC at the Supreme Court, challenging the decision to restrict the registration exercise to the EC’s district offices.

Criticisms Over Limiting Registration to District Offices

Despite the pending legal issues, the NDC has asserted its readiness for the registration exercise. The party has pledged to be vigilant against any attempts by the EC and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to manipulate the process. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the national chairperson of the NDC, expressed discontent with the EC’s decision to proceed with the exercise despite the lawsuit, which he views as a contravention of a precedent set by the Commission itself.

Nketiah also criticized the EC’s decision to limit the registration to district offices. He argued that this would reduce access to registration centers, going against regulation 2(2)(b) of C. I 91. According to Nketiah, the district offices are not suitable for use as polling stations on Election Day, making the decision not only unreasonable but also unlawful. Given the current economic difficulties and the long distances that many eligible voters would have to travel, he described this decision as insensitive and unreasonable.

Call for Support in the Ongoing Registration Exercise

The NDC’s national chairperson also alleged that the EC’s decision could lead to voter suppression, depriving many eligible Ghanaians of their right to be registered as voters. He expressed concern that the decision to restrict registration centers to district offices could potentially violate Regulation 2(2)(b) of C. I 91, amended by C. I 126, which governs the centers for voter registration.

Despite his criticisms, Nketiah encouraged party officials, members, and Ghanaians to support eligible persons in participating in the ongoing registration exercise. He emphasized the need for vigilance and support in ensuring that all eligible persons can participate in the democratic process without being suppressed or manipulated.