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The National Commission for Civic Education’s (NCCE) reticence over the ongoing limited voter registration drive across the nation has alarmed the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Builsa North Constituency Chairman.
Mr. James Achaab pointed out that the majority of people, particularly those living in rural areas, were unaware of the ongoing exercise and that the NCCE, which was tasked with enlightening Ghanaians on their civic duties and rights, had been inactive in that capacity.
Mr. Achaab made this statement during an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sandema, the headquarters of the Upper East Region’s Builsa North Municipality, in response to difficulties with the ongoing limited voter registration drive in the constituency.
“Most of the people are not aware of the limited voter registration exercise. There used to be adverts, radio announcements by the NCCE, and they used to engage opinion leaders, especially the chiefs, to inform their people about such exercises. This time around, there is nothing like that,” he said.
“We the politicians have taken it upon ourselves to go round and inform the people about the exercise. As we speak, I am just returning from Wiaga just to get the people informed that the exercise is on-going.”
“When I got to the registration centre, the network was down. These are our concerns as a Party, and I wonder if indeed the Electoral Commission (EC) really wants eligible applicants to register.”
“The EC should decentralise the exercise and NCCE should get involved and publicise it.”
Mr Achaab said other political parties had raised issues with the exercise but the EC was adamant in addressing those concerns.
“People from Chuchuliga, Namonsa struggled and came on a tricycle but could not register. About 16 of them returned. They may not come back. Who will bear the cost for them to come back?”
“…I have not seen citizens struggle to acquire a voter’s identity card like it’s happening presently. I remember the time of Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan when everything went on smoothly.”
The NDC, according to Mr. Achaab, is reliable and would do everything in its power to ensure that eligible candidates are duly registered to vote in the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
“If the NCCE has failed on its mandate, we will take it upon ourselves as a party to inform citizens, especially in the rural communities, about the exercise. That is what we will do as a party to get eligible applicants to the centre to register,” he said.
Mr. Achaab urged applicants not to give up despite the difficulties and vowed the party’s support in getting them registered so they wouldn’t be denied the right to vote.
For people who had turned 18 or older since the last registration drive and for those who were unable to register in 2020, the limited voter registration drive started on Tuesday, September 12, and is anticipated to expire on Monday, October 2, 2023.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
