On The New Electoral Roll

The Electoral Commission is unwavering to compile a new register to run the 2020 general elections. The compilation of the register and its revision is part of the functions of the Commission.

Currently, there are some challenges that the Electoral Commission finds particularly difficult to control as they are beyond their power. This will affect its 2020 schedules in preparing for the general elections. The coronavirus pandemic that has currently halted social activities is a challenge to deal with.

There are no signs to indicate that the virus will soon leave for normal social gatherings to commence. It is likely that the turnouts for the registration will be low, given the nature of the spread of the disease.

Though if a small number of people register to vote, it can still serve the purpose of the 50% plus one demand, of the valid votes cast, to win a Presidential election, the elections need a nation-wide representation. Then, the Commission needs to use the other state agencies that disseminate information to get people rightly informed about the need to willingly avail themselves for such an activity.

The unforeseen emergence of the virus at this time has affected every activity: social, economic, administrative, political etc in every part of the globe. The virus has presented us with lives full of uncertainties until a vaccine is developed or treatment is found. With these uncertainties, the Commission and the other stakeholders need to have a meeting to deal with this difficulty.

The compilation of a new register is vital as the Commission indicated the obsolescence of its equipment. The stance taken by Civil Society Organisations to prevent a waste of state financial resources is right but the Electoral Commission has an important function to perform to save lives by preventing electoral challenges with quality work.

The fact is, if the Commission reverts to use the old register, the main opposition party will consider it a win for its fight with the Electoral Commission. Some Civil Society Organisations will definitely conclude there was an attempt by the Commission to waste funds. Really, circumstances have changed entirely and the need to reassess the possibility of using the old system and register should be done. This is because the legal requirements that the instruments that give the Electoral Commission backing must be met early.

It is reported that the Constitutional Instrument (CI) that should give the Commission legal backing is not matured yet. Such occurrences and many others should be factored into the decision-making process of the Commission. All political parties and institutions must acknowledge the necessity to use a clean and credible register for the general elections.

Time is far spent in preparing for a document which the fate of a new President and Members of Parliament hinges on. If other political parties stubbornly reject the yet to be compiled new voters’ register, the purpose of the Commissions’ endeavor will still not be achieved. The time, in the present circumstances, for compiling the register is a key factor that is superior to the constitutional mandate of the Commission. The Commission should still be allowed to perform its function independently.

The Presidential elections are taken seriously than any other elections and that is why the main opposition party gave a harbinger of war. Electoral challenges create wars for many countries and ours cannot be exempted from such catastrophes. The recent troubles we have had with regard to by-elections should be a forewarning in order to take serious caution.

If it is possible, given the circumstances, the Commission should assess fully the situation and the equipment available to it, to make a final resolve for it and the general public on this issue. The function of the Commission to conduct elections is key in determining the peace and stability of the State. This function equally affects the chance of an outbreak of war as well as the cause of electoral challenges and their dire consequences.

If the function of the Commission in conducting free and fair elections is properly done, it will improve the quality of its work and it will firmly establish the Peace and Stability of the Country. Therefore, with legal requirements to meet, which will affect the conduct of the general elections, the Commission should reach a very bold decision to use the old register if it can be used or expedite its activities to meet the requirements of the law.

The lives of Ghanaians, our property, and the general stability of the state depend on the extremely “delicate” activities of the Electoral Commission of Ghana. It is very clear that the Commission owes the people of Ghana a very diligent duty in conducting its functions in the December 2020 elections.

Emmanuel Kwabena Wucharey

Economics Tutor –Kintampo SHS.