A group of civil society organization, Coalition of CSOs for Good Governance will on Thursday, January 8, 2020 hold a public forum the decision of the Electoral Commission of Ghana to compile a new biometric voters’ register less than a year to the 2020 general elections.
The forum, according to the organizer in a statement copied Awake News, “will bring together experts from Civil Society, Political Parties, I.T Experts, Election Observers, Development Partners and the Diplomatic Corps to look critically into the Electoral Commission’s decision to procure a new Biometric System which will make way for the compilation of a new Voters Register.”
The Forum which comes off on Thursday, 12pm, 9th January, 2020 at the Ghana Academy of Arts Sciences near Alliance Francais is on the theme “Does Ghana Really need a New Voters Register?” is to discuss where or not Ghana needs to invest over GHc443million to compile a new register amid though opposition from other opposition political parties and simily public disapproval.
Many notable CSOs in the country have also kicked against the plan but the Electoral Commission insists it will compile the new register saying the current one is overstretched and weak.
The Commission said at a press conference on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 said the move to procure the biometric system is informed by advice from its IT personnel and external IT consultants.
According to the EC, assessment of the system by the two teams has revealed that it would be prudent to acquire a new system rather than refurbish the current one.
The Commission said it would make more economic and operational sense to acquire the new system than to keep the current system and refurbish them at a high cost of frequent replacement of failing parts and renewal of warranties.
Read the public notice on the Forum:
06-01-2019
PRESS RELEASE
PUBLIC FORUM ON THE PROPOSAL FOR A NEW VOTER’S REGISTER BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
The Coalition of CSOs for Good Governance wishes to invite all Stakeholders, the Media and the General Public to a Public Forum dubbed “Does Ghana Really need a New Voters Register?”
The forum will bring together experts from Civil Society, Political Parties, I.T Experts, Election Observers, Development Partners and the Diplomatic Corps to look critically into the Electoral Commission’s decision to procure a new Biometric System which will make way for the compilation of a new Voters Register.
The Forum comes off on Thursday 9th January, 2020 at the Ghana Academy of Arts Sciences near Alliance Francais and will commence at 12pm prompt.
The program will also receive live media coverage on major media platforms across the Country.
We entreat the General Public to participate fully in this important event to sharpen the democratic discourse of the Country as we head towards the December, 2020 General Elections.
Thank you.
Signed:
Mensah Thompson
ASEPA
0542120628
Dr.Richard Fiadomor
CHALOG
0243138633
Prof. Ohene Adjei
CEGA
0208124706
Dr. Hayford
CDG-Gh
0507694343
“1.ASEPA GHANA
2.Chamber of Local Government-ChaLoG
3. Swiss Angels Foundation –
4. Cross Fire Ghana.
5. CAUCUS FOR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE – GHANA (CDG)
6. Grass-roots Voice for Good Governance and Public Accountability
7. Positive Thinking Movement.
8. Coalition for Restoration (CFR)
9. Grassroot Mobilizers Network (GMnet)
10. Youth For Accountable Governance (YoFAG)
11. Media for ‘NO’ Coalition,
12. “CARE” GHANA
13. Center Social Democracy
14. Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CFF-GH)
15. Governance Watch Gh.
16.African Center for Peace Building
17. Center for Progressive Governance-CenProg
18.Youth for Effective Transformation-YET
19. Center for Ethical Governance and Administration-CEGA
Cc.
All Media Houses
By: Efo Korsi Senyo / awakenewsroom.com