Failure to comply with registration rules cause of violence at centers – EC

The Electoral Commission (EC) says the failure of political parties to comply with the rules guiding the Limited Biometricn Voters Registration exercise is to be blamed for the pockets of violence which have characterized the exercise.

Since the exercise commenced on April 28, the EC’s Limited Voters Registration exercise has witnessed confrontation and fights notably between the two main political parties.

In the Ashanti region, for instance, the Regional Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Bosiako, who is also known as Chairman Wontumi, is alleged to have slapped the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Manhyia North constituency, Felix Ibrahim as well as the constituency General Secretary, Collins Amankwa on May 1.

As if that was not enough, registration centers in the Brong Ahafo region are also reported to have had their share of the skirmishes.

Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi North constituency in the Brong Ahafo region, Joseph Benhazin Dahah, claimed thugs made up of the brother of the Local Government and Rural Development Minister, Collins Dauda ‘severely” beat him at a registration center in Ntrotroso polling station.

Speaking to Joy News, Director of Administration at the EC, Christian Owusu Parry described the violence across some of the registration centers as unfortunate and not needed.

He said the Constitutional Instrument (C.I) 91 stipulates the rules of engagement so far as the Limited Voters Registration exercise is concerned and how to get grievances addressed but the political parties have failed to comply with it.

The CI 91is meant to address the issues of anomalies which occurred during the registration exercise for the 2012 general election. It invalidates the Public Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, 2012 (CI 72).

On the issue of an alleged registration of minors by some political parties, Mr. Parry said, “If you [political parties] have reason to believe or suspect that someone is ineligible or is not qualify as a voter, what you do is that you file a challenge against the registration of the person.”

He said the complaint will then be forwarded to the District Registration Review Committee to investigate into the matter after which a determination will be made based on the findings.

He appealed to the police in the country to protect officials of the Commission as well as equipment in the various registration centers across the country.