The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) says Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) has not discussed matters relating to the compilation of a new voters register.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In\n a statement Thursday, the NDC says a release by the Electoral \nCommission (EC) on Wednesday gives the impression the matter was \ndiscussed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\n wish to state emphatically and without any fear of contradiction, that \nno decision was taken on this matter. In fact, the compilation of a new \nvoters register was only mentioned in passing by the EC during the \ndiscussion on limited registration,\u201d the NDC wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe\n NDC holds the view that, a matter as important as the compilation of a \nnew voters register, has to be discussed in a manner that will ensure \nthat every aspect and the implication of its implementation are \nthoroughly discussed to the satisfaction of all stakeholders and in \naccordance with due process, time tested rules, procedures and \nconventions before a decision is made,\u201d the statement added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The\n statement, signed by the General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, \nfurther added that the EC should be \u201cmindful of its core mandate to act \nas a credible impartial referee in the country’s electoral processes and\n to play by the rule books.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read the full statement below:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n NDC DEMANDS WITHDRAWAL OF DECEPTIVE IPAC COMMUNIQUE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The\n National Democratic Congress (NDC) notes with concern a Communique \nissued by the Electoral Commission after the IPAC meeting held on \nWednesday, 27th March, 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At\n the meeting under reference, the EC presented for discussion its \nprogrammed activities for 2019. While the press release issued by EC \ncovers aspects of the ensuing discussions we note that there are \nportions that do not represent the true reflection of what transpired at\n the IPAC meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We take particular notice of a portion of the EC press release which states as follows:-<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Commission will compile a new voters\u2019 register ahead of the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections \u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\n wish to state emphatically and without any fear of contradiction, that \nno decision was taken on this matter. In fact, the compilation of a new \nvoters register was only mentioned in passing by the EC during the \ndiscussion on limited registration. There certainly was no \u201cextensive \ndeliberations\u201c on this particular matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The\n absurdity of such a claim, is amply evident from the Commission\u2019s own \nStatement, which captured the agenda for discussion as follows;<\/p>\n\n\n\n *Preparations for the 2019 District Level Elections The\n compilation of a new voters register was not one of the items on the \nagenda for discussion, thus cannot warrant a basis for any decision by \nthe political parties. A careful analysis of the subsequent points in \nthe statement, specifically, point 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6, shows that all the\n issues raised were clearly in sync with the items on the agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\n is self-evident, and judging from the flow of the Press Release and its\n relationship with the agenda above, that item 3 is totally incongruous \nto the real issues discussed at the meeting, let alone any purported \ndecision be made on the subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The\n NDC holds the view that, a matter as important as the compilation of a \nnew voters register, has to be discussed in a manner that will ensure \nthat every aspect and the implication of its implementation are \nthoroughly discussed to the satisfaction of all stake holders and in \naccordance with due process, time tested rules, procedures and \nconventions before a decision is made. A matter as delicate as such has \nto be discussed thoroughly and all the related consequences, \nramifications considered before arriving at a decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A\n decision of this nature has grave bearing on the credibility and \nintegrity of our Elections and therefore has to be tabled properly as \npart of an IPAC Agenda, discussed exhaustively with all relevant \nstakeholders, before the EC can communicate such a MAJOR DECISION taken \nat an IPAC meeting to the general public. No such matter was tabled as \npart of the agenda, nor was it discussed, either exhaustively or \nthoroughly as the EC has sought to portray in their communique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Curiously\n the communique was signed by only the Chairperson of the Commission \ninstead of the representatives of the various political parties. Can the\n EC explain why this is so? The NDC therefore disassociates itself from \nthe communique and demands it’s withdrawal as it is not in consonance \nwith conclusions of the IPAC meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\n may interest you to note that, there were decisions taken which did not\n find space in the communique. One such decisions was for the EC to \ndecentralize the limited registration exercise to the Electoral Area \nlevel in accordance with the time tested practice in all limited \nregistration exercises since the beginning of the fourth Republic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The\n NDC cautions the EC to be mindful of its core mandate to act as a \ncredible impartial referee in the country’s electoral processes and to \nplay by the rule books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Signed<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah <\/p>\n\n\n\n General Secretary – NDC<\/p>\n\n\n\n credit: myjoyonline.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\n*Inspection of Political Party Offices
\n*Updates on the compliance of the Political Parties with Audit requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n