The paramount chief of Dorma in the Bono Region Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II has called on the Electoral Commission to rescind its decision to compile a new register for the December 2020 general elections.
As Ghana grapples to contain the coronavirus, the chief believes the time is not right to compile a voters’ register.
Speaking when the General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, paid a courtesy call on him to register the party’s displeasure at the EC’s insistence to compile a new electoral roll, Osagyefo Agyemang Badu II said the timing is wrong.
The chief noted that the prevailing conditions surrounding the compilation of a new register in a Covid-19 era, the few months left for the elections and the requirements for the registration makes the impending exercise impossible, JoyNews’ Precious Semevor reports.
He said, the most “sensible thing” to do at the moment is to put in place measures to prevent and if possible bring the coronavirus under complete control.
Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II said the EC has not been able to convince him and the many who are against the compilation of the new register about its essence at a time like this.
The chief also expressed his displeasure with the refusal of the Electoral Commission to meet the National House of Chiefs, describing the development as disrespectful.
The General Secretary of the NDC and his entourage are touring the country to sensitise opinion leaders and chiefs on why they are resisting the EC’s decision said he fears Ghana’s democracy will be jeopardised if the Commission is allowed to go ahead with their decision.
Mr Asiedu Nketia said the fear of the chaos the decision will cause is why they have elected themselves to be the voice of the many who are against a new voters register.
He said the NDC is prepared to speak and face the consequences than keep mute and watch things go wrong in the country.