Registration Of Minors In Electoral Processes; A Breeding Ground For Child Abuse

The issues of registration of minor in our electoral processes have risen to intolerable level. The registration of children in electoral processes not only form part of electoral fraud but a serious form of child abuse. Political parties, especially the opposition and the ruling parties, have both been alleged in various media and platforms as the main perpetrators of this precarious crime against children.

The question is, how can the safety, care and protection of children be in the hands of people who mischievously abuse them for their ambition and gain? No wonder the protection and care of children is less valued to successive governments in this part of our world.

Child abuse, which simply is the denial of the rights of a child is evidently a leading challenge to the development and protection of children especially in developing countries. Registration of minors, thus children (person below the age of 18years), officially and legally identifies them as adults therefore, denying them the rights and privileges ascribe to children in this country. The implication of this criminal acts are enormous and detrimental to the child registered as voter in this country.

It should be noted that the voter ID card is legal document that can be tendered as a proof of one’s age. A child with a voter ID card no more be classified as a child but an adult with the age on the card as the official age for any official and legal proceedings. Minors registered as eligible voters per the Children Act may be deprived of reasonable provisions out of the estate of their parents because they have procured legal document to justify they are no more children but responsible adult. Parents or care givers may now have reasons backed by law to force the registered minor to be betrothed, subject of a dowry transaction and be married.

All forms of abuse against a registered minor may not be classified as child abuse and therefore might not receive the needed attention and care required by law. Parents especially irresponsible ones might have reasons to deny responsibilities and maintenance of the registered minor. People will now have proof to justify the employment of the registered minor in exploitative labor.

A registered minor under hazardous employment such as mining and quarrying, porterage of heavy loads, working in hotels and places of entertainment would therefore have justification to be employed under such conditions. How would we refer to registered minors evidently involved in child trafficking, sexual abuse, child streetism and other forms of abuse which need immediate care and protection? Isn’t registration of minors a breeding ground for children to be abused legally?

In Criminal context, registration of minors exposed such children to serious dangers and harm. Registered minors who come into conflict with the law may not be classified as juveniles and therefore be denied of privileges ascribed to juveniles. How would the court rule over carnal knowledge with a registered minor? Would it be called as defilement or rape? What would be the attitude of persons in dealing with registered minors? What forms of child abuse is worse than involving a child in electoral processes? This is a serious offense against the rights of the child. Registering children in electoral processes causes injury and harm to the child’s development as well as giving legal license for others to exploit children for their selfish ambition.

I would therefore appeal to the Electoral Commission to ensure the prosecution of all guarantors of children enticed to undertake the registration process during the Proceedings on persons challenged during the registration process. Also, the Commission should partner with Child Protection Agencies in educating the public on the consequences of registration of children especially the adverse impact on the lives of children.

JEFFERY AMO-ASARE
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