Asiedu Nketia defends NDC's participation in EC piloting registration

General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia has confirmed that he personally sanctioned the decision to partake in the piloting of the compilation of the voters' register.

According to him, it was to enable the NDC to get first-hand information on the challenges in the exercise so that they can make a case.

Speaking on Okay FM’s Ade Akye Abia programme, he explained that the party will soon come out officially to state their concerns about the piloting of the registration exercise.

"Though we will not allow the compilation of the voters register to come off, we still have to follow what the Electoral Commission is doing so that as a party we will have first-hand information to make our case when it comes to our fierce resistance about a new register.

"And I don’t see anything wrong with the NDC taking part.

"However, we are going to ensure that the EC does not go on with its planned intention to compile a new voters register," he added.

Piloting Of New BVR

The Electoral Commission (EC) on Tuesday, June 2, conducted a pilot voter registration exercise in all 16 regional capitals in the country.

The essence of the exercise, according to the EC, is to identify problems associated with the new voters' register system, as well as its effect under various weather conditions and find ways of mitigating them.

A statement issued on Tuesday said all issues identified would be forwarded to the Commission at the national level for the necessary rectifications to be made before the commencement of the exercise at the end of the month.

“All Ghanaian citizens of 18 years and above and of sound mind are expected to register where they reside when the exercise begins; with either a Ghanaian passport or Ghana card as proof of identification or have two guarantors who have already registered as voters so they can register,” the statement said.

Observers Or Keen Participants?

Interestingly, leading members of the opposition party were present to oversee the process. Social media went ‘gaga’ when former NDC Member of Parliament for North Dayi, Mr. George Loh's ID card popped up after participation in the pilot exercise.

To some, it was a move that was not in consonance with the position of the NDC.

But Mr. Loh explained that he participated in the EC's pilot voter registration exercise on Tuesday to be sure of how the exercise was ongoing and does not lend credence to the fact that though the NDC is opposed to the new register, it was preparing its members to get ready to register.