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Some supporters of political parties opposing the new voters’ register yesterday picketed the West Mamprusi Municipal Electoral Commission (EC) office in the North East Region.

It formed part of the political parties’ agenda to demonstrate against the decision of the EC to compile a new register for the 2020 general election.

A number of the supporters from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the People’s National Convention (PNC), All People Congress (APC) and Progressive Peoples’ Party (PPP) stormed the office premises about 9 a.m. holding placards with inscriptions such as “treat Ghanaians fairly”,

“Ghana is not for Jean Mensa and NPP”, “Jean Mensa is protecting Akufo-Addo's interest not Ghana” and “Jean Mensa is Akufo-Addo's minister of elections".

Imposition of register on citizens

The North East Regional Communications Officer of the NDC, Mr Imoro Abdul-Razak, who led the protest, raised concerns about what he described as an attempt by the EC to impose on the citizenry a decision majority were against.

He accused the EC of “doing the bidding of the President”, stressing that the political parties would do everything possible to ensure that their grievances were addressed.

Mr Abdul-Razak also outlined a number of development challenges facing the municipal including the uncompleted projects which were undertaken by the past government and called on the Vice- President, Dr Mahammud Bawumia, who is an indigene of the area, to “fulfil all the numerous promises made to the constituents”.

Meanwhile, officials of the EC, who were present, declined to comment on the matter.

Background

The protest by the supporters in the West Mamprusi Municipality comes after thousands of people poured onto the streets of Tamale, the Northern Regional capital last Saturday demanding the EC to rescind its decision to compile a new register.

The EC in its quest to compile a new voters’ register said it was committed to judiciously spending the GH¢443 million it was granted by Parliament for the process.

But, the opposition parties, particularly the NDC, have stated they would do everything within their power, including legal means, to resist the new voters register.

The protest by the supporters in the West Mamprusi Municipality comes after thousands of people poured onto the streets of Tamale, the Northern Regional capital last Saturday demanding the EC to rescind its decision to compile a new register.

The EC in its quest to compile a new voters’ register said it was committed to judiciously spending the GH¢443 million it was granted by Parliament for the process.

But, the opposition parties, particularly the NDC, have stated they would do everything within their power, including legal means, to resist the new voters register.