Resist Akufo-Addo’s pressure for new voters' register – NDC UK, Ireland to EC

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) chapter in the UK and Ireland has joined forces with its mother branch in Ghana to oppose the Electoral Commission’s move to compile new voters' register ahead of the 2020 general elections.

The party alleged the EC’s decision, that has sparked controversies in the country, was engineered by the Akufo-Addo’s government as one of its ways to “rig” the polls later this year and retain the government despite its nonperformance.

The EC has announced it will procure a new Biometric Voter Management System as well as compile a new voters' register for the 2020 general elections.

Its budget for a new electoral roll was approved in parliament before the house went for its Christmas break, raising eyebrows amidst fierce opposition from at least 6 political parties.

Reacting to the EC’s decision in a statement signed by Simon Aworigo and sent to Myxyzonline.com, the NDC called on EC Boss Jean Mensah “not to heed to pressure from Mr Akufo Addo and the NPP to compile a new voters' register…”

The statement said in less than a year to a general election, the ruling party is “scared it will lose the upcoming general elections” should the current register that won them the 2016 general elections is used for the 2020 polls.

Also, the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Gh) has kicked the move to compile a new register, saying Ghana is holding a population and Housing census in March 2020 hence the EC would have to wait for that exercise to conclude to have Ghana’s new population data in order to plan for their new register later.

Others also believe the time within which the compilation will take place is too limited.