The Non-Aligned Voters Association of Ghana (NAVAG) is calling on the Electoral Commissioner, Madam Jaen Mensa, and her Commission Members to in the interest of the nation reconsider their decision to compile a new voters register and instead upgrade the existing one which she has confirmed to the parliament of Ghana to be credible.
In a press statement released by Mr. Kwofie Benibengor, Founder and President of NAVAG on 27th May 2020, he said ”NAVAG as a non-partisan voter based association is appealing to the good office of the Electoral Commissioner, Madam Jane Mensah, and her Commission in the interest of the nation in this critical moment suspend the compilation and instead upgrade the existing register which she has confirmed in the parliament to be credible”.
NAVAG said they “believe that after the 2020 elections, the Electoral Commission would have ample time to prepare an entirely new register with new technology for the good people of Ghana”
Bellow is a recap of what the Electoral Commission said about the compilation of the new voter register on Tuesday, 17 March 2020
“The Commission wishes to state that the compilation of the New Voter’s Register has not been cancelled.
“Plans are far advanced for the successful take-off of the registration process”.
It assured the public that it was taking the necessary steps to guarantee the safety of the citizenry and safeguard them from the virus.
“In this regard, the Electoral Commission will put in place concrete measures, including providing sanitizers at all polling stations and providing a conducive atmosphere at all registration centers so as to protect its stakeholders from the virus among others.
“The public is entreated to prepare for the upcoming Voters’ Registration exercise, under the theme,
“ELECTIONS 2020 – Towards Free, Fair, Transparent, Credible and Peaceful Elections in Ghana”.
Read The Full statement from NAVAG bellow
FROM: NON-ALIGNED VOTERS ASSOCIATION OF GHANA (NAVAG)
TO: ALL MEDIA HOUSES.
DATE: 27TH MAY, 2020
PRESS STATEMENT
ELECTORAL COMMISSION MUST SPARE GHANA’S DEMOCRACY AND PEACE.
The Non-Aligned Voters Association of Ghana (NAVAG) is calling on the Electoral Commission of Ghana to reconsider its decision to carry on the compilation of the New Voters Register for the 2020 general elections.
Though, the E.C has the constitutional mandate to carry its activities without external influence, given the prevailing circumstances, it should as a matter of national interest reconsider its stand.
The foundation of every nation is its politics and as a democratic nation, election is the pivot of democracy. Strong democracies emerge from free, fair, transparent and credible elections.
NAVAG has observed with deep concern that the quality of democracy and our peace could be negatively affected should the E.C carry on the compilation of a New Voters Register.Ghana has an enviable record of democratic credentials, credible elections which has produced five different presidents and peaceful transitions from one elected government to another without dissatisfaction from the citizens in the Fourth Republic. It is therefore proper to sustain this record which become the envy of most African countries.
Elections are said to be a process and the healthy process, the more credible it becomes. The process must be transparent enough to enable major players accept the outcome without chaos and litigation.
NAVAG is of the view that considering the factors of preparing a New Voters Register, the introduction of new technology, time left for the major election to the upcoming elections, the potential of having an ill-prepared register is likely. Considering the NIA card as a requirement for registration as well as the Covid-19 rising infectious rate, the E.C should have a second look. This is because a lot of Ghanaians are likely to be disenfranchised and many more people becoming infected with the virus during the registration process.
NAVAG as a non-partisan voter based association is appealing to the good office of the Electoral Commissioner, Madam Jane Mensah, and her Commission in the interest of the nation in this critical moment suspend the compilation and instead upgrade the existing register which she has confirmed in the parliament to be credible.
As a neutral voter’s association, we believe that after the 2020 elections, the Electoral Commission would have ample time to prepare an entirely new register with new technology for the good people of Ghana.
The E.C must build upon the track record of Ghana’s electoral body by her predecessors.
We are also calling on the National Peace Council to engage the E.C to suspend the compilation of the New Voters Register
