Member of Parliament (MP) for Bongo Constituency, Edward Bawa, has cautioned the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, not to plunge the country into war with her proposed constitutional instrument (C.I).
The draft constitutional instrument entitled ‘Public Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, 202’ has sparked controversy because a section of the draft seeks to make the Ghana Card the sole form of identification for eligible voters who want to get onto the national register.
The section has been vehemently kicked against by the Minority and a section of the public, saying it will prevent thousands of eligible voters from voting, especially as the NIA has not been able to print the Ghana Cards to all persons that have registered with the firm.
But addressing Parliament on Tuesday, February,28, 2023, Jean Mensa justified her outfit’s decision to make the Ghana Card the sole identification document for voter registration ahead of the 2024 polls.
The EC Boss said the Instrument seeks to ensure that voter registration becomes a continuous all-year-round registration of eligible voters at its district offices, adding the C.I will make registration flexible for eligible voters.
“Under the limited voters’ registration process, registration was conducted at limited periods and was not done all year round. This made it such that, persons who turned 18 after the registration period could not do so after the time set for the limited registration, which usually within 2–3 weeks,” she said.
The EC Boss also indicated that under the new C.I., anyone who turns 18 can walk into any of its district offices and register to vote.
“This is a departure from the previous one. The main advantage of this is that potential voters can register anytime any day. Eligible persons will be at liberty to do it at their leisure because it will be an all-year-round activity,” she contended.
But reacting to the response on the floor of parliament, the Bongo MP argued that the C.I can cause chaos on election day when many are unable to vote because of their inability to get the Ghana card.
He said a similar issue happened in Ivory Coast where some people were made to feel that they were not citizens by some technicalities of the electoral system which resulted in a civil war.
Bawa reminded Jean Mensa how the country was peaceful when Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan and Charlotte Osei manned the EC.
“This country was in lump peace [when Jean Mensa took over],” he said and cautioned “if this country goes to war because of you, it [blood] will be on your head.”
Edward Bawa was quickly prevented by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin from going ahead with the caution.
He also asked the MP to retract the statement, adding that it was everyone’s prayer that the country remains peaceful.
Edward Bawa retracted and indicated that his statement was a precautionary measure which was to remind the EC boss of the consequences of any irresponsibility.
