Audio By Carbonatix
The Electoral Commission (EC) has been asked to deal with the issue of minors in the biometric register before it degenerates into conflict during the December polls.
The Executive Director of the West Africa Network for Peace-building (WANEP), Mr Emmanuel Bombande, w.ho made the call, stated that resolving the issues of minors in the register was critical to the success or otherwise of the polls which are just about two weeks away.
After detecting that the biometric register was fraught with minors, the EC appealed to the parents of such minors to dissuade them from voting during the elections.
But Mr Bombande said the EC must do more by moving into communities with high rates of minors in the register to educate them.
According to him, with his 17-year experience in peace-building, it was better for the EC to find ways of dealing with the issue now, instead of waiting till election day as that might be too costly for the nation.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Bombande stated that the situation was not as helpless as the EC had made Ghanaians to believe and that with determination, the commission could find a solution before Election Day.
He explained that with the help of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and civil society organisations, the situation could be remedied before election day.
Mr Bombande said it was important for the EC to liaise with the NCCE and civil society groups to embark on vigorous campaigns in areas or communities with high rates of minors in the register.
He said Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan's statement that, "So if you cannot convince them, next time you go voting and there is somebody who appears to be eight years in front of you, patiently wait for him to vote” failed to sit well with him, saying it was only a recipe for disaster.
"Such an argument will not hold the emotions and anger of party representatives who may feel that such minors may be voting against them," he said.
Mr Bombande said candidates who lose the elections might cite minors in the register as the reason for their defeat.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana contacted me over Black Stars job – Pitso Mosimane
24 minutes -
Kotoko defender Lord Amoah undergoes ‘successful’ surgery after ACL injury
34 minutes -
Photos: President Mahama inspects Kasoa–Winneba road as sections near opening
34 minutes -
Nato says ‘no provision’ to expel members after report US could seek to suspend Spain
36 minutes -
No casualties recorded in GRIDCo Akosombo substation fire — GNFS
37 minutes -
Lack of political will fuels illegal mining crisis – Awula Serwah
50 minutes -
Firefighters save 18 rooms in swift response to Dansoman blaze
54 minutes -
Illegal mining fight not aggressive enough – Prof Boadi
1 hour -
Kenyan leader sparks uproar after mocking Nigerians’ spoken English
1 hour -
Conviction of party officials in galamsey cases will deter illegal mining – Appiah-Danquah
1 hour -
Ghana Swimming boosted as coach Amponsah gains global expertise in Switzerland
2 hours -
Direct Warning: When the foreigners are gone, who’s next? South Africa’s Xenophobia is a gun pointed inward
2 hours -
Betrayal of brotherhood: How xenophobia in South Africa is burning the bridges of African solidarity
2 hours -
Akosombo Substation fire under control, technical assessment ongoing – Energy Ministry
2 hours -
Two dead, one in critical condition after galamsey pit collapse at Assin North
2 hours