Political Parties Should Be Blamed For The Bloated Voters� Register And Not Madam Charlotte Osei

United Thumb Printers for Peace has noticed with grave concern the condemnations which have been heaped on the current Electoral Commissioner, Madam Charlotte Osei as far as the voters’ register is concerned.

It is on this note that United Thumb Printers for Peace find the attacks on her reprehensible. Ever since Madam Charlotte Osei rose to become the Electoral Commissioner on 30th June, 2015, this innocent patriotic Ghanaian has not known peace.

The incessant tantrums thrown at her direction must cease and United Thumb Printers for Peace has warned that if this practice is doesn’t stop, it will have a far reaching consequence on the democratic life of this country.

In searching for bodies responsible for the bloating of the current voters’ register, political parties should be cited as culprits and not the Electoral Commission.  In fact, the political parties are to take the entire blame for this mess on our voter’s register instead of forcing Madam Charlotte Osei to swallow a bitter pill on their behalf.

Almost all the political parties have agreed to give a listening ear to the attention the voters’ register deserves but stalled the process due to petty disagreements between the two dominant political parties thus the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The thrust for the banter between these two political parties has been on how the EC would enhance and compile a credible voters’ register fit for the 2016 general elections. United Thumb Printers for Peace would wish to urge the two dominant political parties in Ghana to give the EC a breathing space and allow it to independently carry out its constitutionally mandates.

We have heard the NPP complain about foreigners and minors in the voters’ register whiles the NDC on the other hand is also complaining about ghost names in the same register.

But United Thumb Printers for Peace would wish to ask these political parties if Madam Charlotte Osei should be held responsible for inserting the alleged foreigners, minors and ghost names into the voter’s register? It is clear for us all to note that the new EC boss is trying her possible best in making sure that she discharges her constitutional mandate without sacrificing the peace we are currently enjoying.

Pressure groups such as Truth and Accountability Forum, Let My Vote Count Alliance and the Progressive Nationalist Forum should refrain from mounting pressure on the EC Boss and calling for her head. If there is anything they would want to help her administration with, they should turnaround and bark at political parties responsible for the flaws in the register.

As prescribed by article 46 of the 1992 constitution, Madam Charlotte Osei should be allowed to operate freely without encountering any form of stampede from groups and political parties with parochial interest. United Thumb Printers for Peace is calling on all well-meaning Ghanaians, Civil Society Groups, Christian Council, Peace Council and the Muslim Community to add their voices in condemning political parties who do not want constitutionally mandated bodies to operate freely in this country due to their selfish interest.

Women advocacy groups in this country should also join in the fight protect Madam Charlotte Osei from facing condemnations she deserves not. In fact, she is a role model and an inspiration to women as far as gender equity is concerned.

United Thumb Printers for Peace would want to end here by calling for a cease fire and calling for peace to prevail ahead of the 2016 general elections.

..............signed.................

(Convener)

Kofi Seidu

0245 737 933

Source: Kofi Seidu/ email: [email protected]/ tel: 0245 737 933