The Electoral Commission (EC) says it would not extend the period for the registration of persons eligible to vote in this year’s elections. “We’ll not extend the period, let me tell you. The 10th the period comes to an end; we’ll not extend it,” Dr Afari Djan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission told the media in Accra. The EC on the July 31, reopened the voters register for the supplementary registration of eligible voters for the December 7 general elections. The 11-day exercise would enable Ghanaians who have attained the voting age of 18, as well as those who are above 18 but have never registered to do so. However, according to Dr Afari Djan, the EC is not considering extending the period for the exercise which ends on August 10, 2008. Reacting to comments that the registration process has been characterised by pockets of violence across the country, Dr Afari Djan said although the EC is aware of the situation it is not to blame. Reports from around the country indicate that the process has been fraught with a mix of inadequate registration materials, double entry of names and registration by underage persons. The situation has triggered violent clashes at many registration centres. “Unwholesome mix” At Sankore in the Brong Ahafo Region, the process which got off to a peaceful start in the morning turned into a bloodbath when supporters of the ruling NPP and the opposition NDC entered into a human butchering spree. At least one person was reported killed while many sustained life-threatening injuries. Officials of the commission at Tamale over the weekend appealed for the beef-up of security due to what they described as the “wanton misunderstanding” that erupted between supporters of the various political parties in the city. The Regional Director of the EC, Sylvester D. Kanyi had indicated that there had been mayhem of various degrees at registration centres, that had resulted in assaults on officials and vandalizing of materials. Reports have also been rife that officials of some political parties have been encouraging minors to register at various polling stations. Dr Afari Djan said persons who engaged in illegal registration would be subjected to the full rigours of the law. “Any persons who attempts to register who is not qualified – and you are not qualified if you are not 18 years old, you are not qualified if you are not a Ghanaian, you are not qualified if your name is not in the register – all these people are contravening the law. They must be arrested and dealt with according to the law,” Dr Afari Djan warned. He said the EC did not take into consideration the registration of minors, which in itself is a crime. Dr Afari Djan discounted claims that the commission is helpless in the face of the challenges. He stated that the support of all political parties, especially the NDC and NPP, was required for a smooth registration process. Listen to audio attachment of Dr Afari Djan's interview with Citi FM Author: Fiifi Koomson