New register will address concerns with current register – Group

Political pressure group, the Mass Action Committee (MAC) says former President John Dramani Mahama’s comments that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would not accept the results of a flawed election, greatly reinforces the urgent need for a new register.

The group has also called for the arrest and prosecution of persons who have made comments suggesting the use of violence to disrupt the upcoming voter registration exercise.

The group says although it supports the expression of divergent views, it finds disturbing and reprehensible threats of using violence and chaos to disrupt the EC’s constitutionally sanctioned decision to compile a new electoral register.

“Several comments have been made suggesting the use of violence to either disrupt the registration exercise or harm Electoral Commission officials. We find such utterances reprehensible and accordingly condemn them in the strongest terms possible,” the group said in a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Mr Atik Mohammed.

“We further wish to state that, all individuals found to have been engaged in such acts should be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law”.

Mahama’s ‘flawed election’ comment

Reacting to former President John Dramani Mahama’s comments, the group said such sweeping remarks without providing the proper context gives rise to wrong interpretations and speculation.

“Given that this comment was made at a time the former President and his following were openly making calls to resist the compilation of a new register, one is inclined to conclude the President’s assertion was inspired by that. If that were true and which we believe is, then we wish to submit that, the fear of a ‘flawed election’ greatly reinforces the urgent need for a new register.

“A flawed election is generally seen as one that is not free, fair and transparent. One of the defining features of a free, fair and transparent election is the existence of a credible register”.

New register will address concerns with current register

He said the compilation of the new register provides all objective and patriotic citizens with the opportunity to address some concerns associated with the credibility of the current register by registering when the process begins on June 30.

“…a new register affords us an opportunity to solve these problems and enhance the credibility of the roll. By enhancing the credibility of the register, we are minimizing the probability of a flawed election. All those who are afraid of a “flawed election” including the former President, should therefore join hands with all Ghanaians to make the upcoming exercise successful”.