Use Old Register for 2020 Elections If Covid-19 Challenges Continue – CODEO to EC

The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has urged Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) to use the old voters’ register for the upcoming general elections, if the challenges in compiling a new register persist, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

National Coordinator of CODEO, Albert Arhin believes the EC may have no other alternative given the uncertainties surrounding the pandemic and the impact it is likely to have on the compilation of a new register.

The Electoral Commission suspended its planned compilation of a new voters’ register over the ban on public gatherings imposed on Ghanaians as part of measures to curtail the spread of the covid-19 disease in the country.

In light of the recent developments, some stakeholders have sent proposals to the EC to to begin the voters’ registration exercise in places outside the partial lockdown.

However speaking in an interview on Accra based Citi FM, Mr. Arhin maintained that all other things being equal, the EC may have to reconsider its decision on the new register and settle on the old electoral roll.

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“Even if this thing subsides and there is not ample evidence to show clearly that it is gone, then definitely there is going to be some opposition facing the EC. So it is not going to be easy at all.  If we are not able to do the election, there might be a constitutional crisis. But I think by now, constitutional experts mare thinking of a way out. The other option is that, if the compilation is not able to take place then maybe, they could use the old register. But even there, how do you conduct the election if the pandemic hasn’t abated maybe by September or thereabout. It is readily even dicey because the owners of the register don’t want to use it so maybe a way has to be found to do the new register.”

On the issue of the registration in areas outside the lockdown, Mr. Arhin expressed fears over its feasibility and reasonability because of the already disregard for social distancing protocol and other safety precautions in stemming the spread of the virus.

“The problem I envisage is the way the Ghanaian is going to conduct himself or herself. Look at the food that we are distributing, the queues, pandemonium, panic, and the rush, so if it is going to be done areas that have not been affected, my problem is how the Ghanaian is going to behave in the rush to get registered. That is the fear that I have. If in those areas they are going to adhere by keeping the distances, then probably they can go ahead and do it. But where is the guarantee that there is not going to be a stampede? It’s really a dicey issue.”

The conduct of the December 7, 2020 polls remains uncertain given the fact that many of the electoral activities in the build-up to the polls have been put on hold until further notice as a result of the pandemic.

The move for the new register has however been met with opposition from key political stakeholders, including the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC).