"Calls for EC to Compile New Voter’s Register Amid Covid-19 Pandemic “Deeply Irresponsible” – Mahama
The Former president says decisions should be not taken for political or parochial reasons, rather to ensure the protection of Ghanaians
Jonas Danquah 
Former President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama has described as deeply irresponsible calls for the compilation of the Electoral Commission (EC) new voter’s register, amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Electoral Commission suspended its planned voter registration exercise over the ban on public gatherings imposed on Ghanaians as part of efforts to curb the community spread of the novel coronavirus disease within the country.
The exercise was initially scheduled for April 18, 2020, but no new date has been announced following the suspension.
A senior legal practitioner and former President of the Ghana Bar Association, Sam Okudzeto had earlier urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to start the registration exercise in places outside the now lifted partial lockdown.
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However, the former president and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) says the suggestion disregards the health and safety concerns of Ghanaians, in a Facebook session on Thursday, April 23, 2020.
“While it is the prerogative of the president to make decisions that ensure protection of Ghanaians, it is my hope that his decisions are guided by genuine concerns for the health and safety of the people of Ghana and are also guided by science and not any political or parochial considerations.”
“It is unfortunate that a high ranking member of the president’s party has suggested in recent days that the Electoral Commission should and will go ahead with the compilation of the new voters’ register as soon as next month, no matter how many Ghanaians dying, at times when doubts remain about the scale of COVID-19 threats and when social distancing has become our main defence, this suggestion is deeply irresponsible. An outburst like this creates doubts in the minds of the people,” the former president said.
The move for the new register has been met with opposition from key political stakeholders, including the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The opposition party called on Ghanaians to reject the EC’s plans because it felt the commission was yet to present a compelling argument for the compilation of a new register.
