Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana on Thursday noted that though the EC incurred extra costs in the registration exercise, government had resourced it to effectively carry out the 2008 elections.
He said the extra cost incurred was as a result of multiple registrations by individuals including minors and foreigners either to acquire loans, clear monies from the bank or for some fraudulent activities.
Dr Afari-Gyan said this at the First Public Forum and National Meeting organised by the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI) under the theme: 'Cleaning the voters' register for peaceful and credible elections in December 2008'.
The CFI operates on the idea that citizens in various communities were the major stakeholders in democratic elections and not the political parties.
He said the EC would therefore separate the new register from the old on the forthcoming exhibition of the voters' register to ensure that minors and foreigners in particular were taken off the list.
Dr Afari-Gyan warned that there was no need for any individual to change his particulars since the EC carries out continuous registration to update the register, adding, "The EC would on subsequent registration insist on documentation to ensure that the right people register".
Rev. Dr Fred Deegbe, Executive Secretary, Christian Council of Ghana called for community involvement in the electoral process to check electoral fraud, saying, "I call on all of you to be vigilant as the price we pay for democracy is being vigilant."
Dr Emmanuel Akwetey, Executive Director, Institute for Democratic Governance said the CFI was campaigning for civic and community actions in support of the cleaning up of the voters' register.
"It is citizens who should exercise their civic responsibilities by ensuring the clean voters' register", he added.
Dr Akwetey noted that the CFI would also serve as a platform to enable civil society actors to participate collectively in dialogue with the EC and political parties on matters pertaining to the efficient management and integrity of the electoral process.
Source: GNA
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
More money, less taxes, and smarter spending: Finance Minister breaks down new economic reforms
13 minutes -
Black Sherif unleashes highly anticipated sophomore album ‘Iron Boy’
20 minutes -
Kwame Agbodza criticises late award of 80km Sampa-Jinijini road contract
22 minutes -
Asiedu Nketiah struggles to gain ground in NDC’s 2028 presidential race – Global InfoAnalytics
23 minutes -
I am excited about Pencils of Promise’s intervention projects – Ja Rule
41 minutes -
Mahama’s job approval hits 66%; signalling strong confidence in him – Global InfoAnalytics survey
45 minutes -
Presidency and Military ranked least perceived corrupt institutions in Ghana now – Global InfoAnalytics
51 minutes -
Police, Immigration, Judiciary ranked top 3 most corrupt institutions in Ghana – Global InfoAnalytics survey
59 minutes -
Bawumia leads NPP race with 48% of Ghanaians approval rate – Global InfoAnalytics
1 hour -
68% of voters say Akufo-Addo caused NPP defeat – Global Info Analytics
1 hour -
57% of NPP supporters prefer Bawumia to run for 2028 – Global InfoAnalytics
2 hours -
Nigerian pastor acquitted of rape after eight years in South African jail
2 hours -
Alcohol makes male fruit flies more attractive
2 hours -
UK to keep pushing for deal after Trump imposes 10% tariff
2 hours -
World leaders call Trump tariffs ‘wrong’ and ‘unjustified’
3 hours