The NDC Parliamentary candidate for Pru East, Emmanuel Kwaku Boam, has slammed Ghana’s Electoral Commission Chair, Jean Mensah, over her “unholy” stance on limited voter registration.
According to him, Pru East Constituency residents are discontented about the Electoral Commission’s ongoing limited registration exercise, which is taking place at the district offices.
He stressed that residents are strongly opposed to the Electoral Commission’s (EC) unholy position of limited registration exercises, which could have been done at the various polling stations.
The voices of dissent come from the various villages along the Volta Lake, including Domeabra, Batorkope, Gyatakpo, and Accra Tow.
He disclosed that the residents firmly believe that the current registration exercise will largely disenfranchise many potential voters, so he’s appealing to the EC to reconsider its stance to bring the registration to the doorstep of the citizenry.
He added that Pru East is the one constituency that has a solid hold on the NDC, and it is crystal clear that the EC is endeavoring to suppress votes in the constituency.
“Since 1992, we have not lost the seat to the NPP. They know the seat cannot be taken, so the best thing to do is suppress votes,” he said.
Mr. Boam said that the primary grievances of the residents pertain to the financial burden incurred while traveling from the remote villages to the district capital, where the registration centers are located.
He reiterated that even on regular market days, the boat fare amounts to approximately ₵50.00, a cost that has shot up to ₵70.00 on ordinary days.
He further stressed that most of the residents are financially wounded, and as such, it is inimical and unlawful for the EC to do the registration at the district level.
“There is risk associated with the perilous journey across Volta Lake, which spans roughly 40 miles. Particularly during the current rainy season, this voyage becomes fraught with danger due to the increased likelihood of boat accidents.
He expressed a deep concern in an interview with the media, adding that the government ought to reconsider its decision.
He said that if the EC does not reverse course and conduct the exercise at the polling stations, as it has done in the past, the output would be the disenfranchisement of many eligible voters.
“I know the EC will never heed these genuine concerns, but posterity will judge them,” he stressed
Story by Lawrence Odoom