New Voters’ Register

The various media have been engulfed with news of the compilation of a new voters’ register for the 2020 general elections. The functions of the Electoral Commission of Ghana include such an activity. Article 45 (a) of the constitution of Ghana commands the Commission to “compile the register of voters and revise it at such periods as may be determined by Law”. The only difficulty with the Law is the lack of clarity on the defined period for compiling a new register. The circumstances that will demand the compilation of a new register have not been identified in the supreme Law of the land. That seems to be the cause of the brouhaha. The voters’ register has evolved over time and the current shape it seems to assume is part of the evolution with new features to be introduced.

There are divergent opinions on the need to have a new register for the 2020 general elections. Civil Society Organisations are keenly interested in pushing an agenda that seeks to protect the state purse. Others, including the major opposition party have a hidden interest that has not been unearthed. Whatever the interest of these people is, that of the state is supposed to the absolute.

Does the Commission have absolute powers to compile a new register? Yes. If its activities are within the limits of the law. The constitution specifies that the functions of the Electoral Commission should fall within the boundaries of the Law. None of the persons and the institutions rejecting the endeavors of the Commission to compile a new register has used the law court. Maybe the determination of a competent court of Jurisdiction on the time to compile and revise the voters’ register could have solved an issue presently and in the future. A very good precedence could have been set for the avoidance of the needless demonstrations we have had some days ago. The same determination of a court if sought could avoid future expenditures on the voters’ register to save the state some money.

I have followed this issue for some time and I found it curious to learn that the compilation of a new register could be basis for chaos in Ghana. This is absolutely unpatriotic comments that could be made by anyone. How could the compilation of a new register be cause for war?

The controversy surrounding the whole issue could have been solved if deliberate attempts were made to investigate properly, the reasons given by the Commission that compel it to compile a new register. The turn outs at the Assembly elections cannot be basis for rendering a definite judgment on the perfect functionality of the devices and the entire technological set of the Commission. Is it not possible a test is run on the usability of the biometric verification devices (BVDs). I do not intend to wade wildly into the discussions about the cost of the two projects: compilation of a new register and upgrading the system. The Chairperson of the Commission will not be unpatriotic enough to put much pressure on the state coffers unduly by picking the option of compiling a new register.

The concerns some people and party have with regard to cost is just mere mediocrity. The state loses much of its financial resources on non-existing projects and corruption as well. The multiplier effect of the expenditure on compiling a new register clearly indicates there is no waste of state funds.

The compilation of a new credible register accepted by all political parties will independently enhance the quality of the work of the Commission. The IT experts of all the major political parties can have a very serious meeting to reach a decision to test the system of the devices. The Electoral Commission has made a clear case that serves as a justification for the compilation of a new register. Is it possible to have a meeting involving IT experts of all political parties and those of the commission as well as external consultants to practically test the usability or otherwise of the BVDs? Must political parties dictate the administrative functions of the Commission? Can the Electoral Commission deliberately use the funds of the state recklessly without justification? These issues need to be considered seriously.

The entrenched decision taken by the Commission is justified and must be supported. The people and institutions fighting to protect a waste of state resources can hold intensive meetings with the Commission with IT experts for proper assessment of the situation. Much financial resources are being wasted on many projects that have no or little useful fruits for the state and its members.

A clean and credible voters’ register accepted by all parties and institutions will help prevent several challenges that are often experienced by countries after elections. It appears the main opposition party has a hidden agenda to protect. A decision that could cause chaos in this country cannot be the one to compile a new register. Will the opposition parties have taken the same position if they were in power? What are the fears of these parties?

The use of state financial resources to compile a new register is a decision full of wisdom and thoughtful considerations that must be allowed to be implemented. The consequences of electoral challenges are expensive and will out-weigh the money being protected. The Electoral Commission should be allowed to have its administrative and political independence to successfully perform its function.

Emmanuel Kwabena Wucharey

Economics Tutor - Kintampo SHS.