EC's LIFELINE FOR REGISTRATION - 2 MORE DAYS (p.3) 11-08-08

Story: Kofi Yeboah
TWO leading members of the two front-running political parties in the country have welcomed the decision by the Electoral Commission (EC) to extend the voter registration exercise for two more days.
They, however, urged the EC to provide adequate logistics to ensure the registration of all eligible voters.
The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Ohene Ntow, and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central, Mr Mahama Ayariga, made the remark in separate interviews with the Daily Graphic today.
Nana Ntow said the EC had listened to the concerns of the political parties, particularly the NPP, and the general public for an extension in view of the challenges that had characterised the exercise.
“I commend the Electoral Commission for responding to the call for an extension of time”, he said.
Nana Ntow said the shortages of materials in many registration centres meant the exercise did not take place for the period it was supposed to be undertaken, and so it was necessary to extend it.
He, however, urged the EC to ensure that adequate materials were available for the extension period, pointing out that “if you extend the time and materials are not available it’s useless”.
When asked whether the 48-hour extension was enough in view of the enormity of the challenges that had characterised the exercise so far, the NPP General Secretary said “it’s fair enough”, especially considering the fact that initially, the EC did not want to extend it.
He said in any case, the exercise could not be undertaken indefinitely and so the extension was fair.
Nana Ntow appealed to members of the general public who had not registered to take advantage of the extension to register.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) had opposed an extension of the exercise in view of the logistical constraints, violence and other challenges that had undermined the exercise.
Nevertheless, Mr Ayariga, said the extension of the registration exercise was welcomed.
“I think there should even be more time for eligible voters to register”, he said in what he stressed to be a personal opinion.
Mr Ayariga said the difficulties that had characterised the exercise must have informed the NDC to oppose any extension but looking at how the exercise had gone on in his constituency, there was the need for an extension.
He said in the Bawku Central, for instance, there were many reported cases of registration of minors but the EC looked on unconcerned expecting the parties to challenge such registrations.
Mr Ayariga said it was the responsibility of the EC, not the political parties, to ensure that only eligible voters were registered.