Audio By Carbonatix
Constitutional lawyer Yoni Kulendi is cautioning the Electoral Commission not to succumb to pressure from people who are suggesting that voters be allowed to cast their ballot even if the biometric verification machine is unable to identify them.
Many voters could not exercise their franchise on Friday because biometric verification machines broke down at some polling stations while others failed to identify a considerable number of voters.
This agitated affected voters who feared they could be disenfranchised through no fault of theirs.
President Mahama earlier said it would be unfair for people to be disenfranchised because they cannot be identified by the machine.
But Mr Kulendi who described that suggestion as dangerous, warned that allowing people to vote while all parties have agreed there will be no voting if the verification machine fails could jeopardize the electoral process.
He urged the EC to resist any “temptation to change the rules of the game.”
Mr Kulendi noted that in the circumstance, “the clever thing to do is to stick to the rules that the parties have agreed to before the match began”.
“They [the political parties] all agreed, they considered issues of breakdown, they considered issues of malfunctioning of the system, ultimately, they agreed NVNV (No Verification No Vote). Simple and short.
“I will consider it most unfortunate if the EC at this stage, 11th hour, departs from this rules it laid down and agreed with the party,” he maintained.
The Constitutional lawyer added: “Electoral systems are not perfect, constitutional rights are subject to requirements of due process…so if for some reason the biometric could not be verified, too bad for you”.
“We can take these challenges going forward and improve the system but we should not for Christ’s sake jeopardize the gains we have made today by attempting now to introduce clear confusion in the middle of the match.”
“It will be most unfortunate, it could be dangerous and it will undermine the integrity of the electoral process”.
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 receives five new envoys to strengthen diplomatic relations – Ablakwa
18 minutes -
Europe’s tallest Virgin Mary statue unveiled in rural Poland
19 minutes -
Sammi Awuku denies reports of EOCO arrest
26 minutes -
Stonebwoy makes history at OVO Arena Wembley with monumental BHIM Festival
1 hour -
Qatar denies capturing three Iranian pilots after downing fighter jets
1 hour -
Tano North chiefs petition Mahama over galamsey destruction in River Tano
2 hours -
Kalpohin SHS, NOBISCO qualify to represent Northern Region at National Public Speaking Competition
2 hours -
Missing records of illegal gold purchases in Ghana raise concern – Duncan-Williams
2 hours -
Duncan-Williams warns of powerful interests targeting GoldBod
3 hours -
We need to pray for GoldBod – Duncan-Williams
3 hours -
Strong favourites or tougher task – will Arsenal defend their title?
4 hours -
Passengers escape death as VIP travelling from Kumasi to Sunyani catches fire
4 hours -
Ariana Grande leaves problems at home as her tour hits the UK
4 hours -
Multiple suspects at large after five shot at Virginia State University, police say
4 hours -
Three killed as Russia launches fresh aerial attacks across Ukraine
4 hours