The electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has launched a full scale investigation into an alleged registration of Ivorian nationals in the just ended voters’ registration exercise.
The commission in a press release said its attention was drawn to the alleged illegal registration in a video which was shown on a television station and has since commenced an investigation into the matter. It added that its preliminary investigation has revealed that the alleged illegal registration took place in Banda Kabrono in the Bono Region.
According to the release, the commission considers the allegations serious stressing it would not shield any of its officials found culpable. It also urged the general public to report any illegal activity by its officials to the commission and the security agencies. The commission has therefore called on the security agencies to assist in the investigation.
“As a commission determined to compile a register, which reflects eligible Ghanaians only, we take this matter serious. The commission has launched a full scale investigation into the matter and will not shield any staff (permanent or temporary) found to have been involved in the alleged illegal registration of foreign national,” it stated in the release.
While reiterating its determination to compile a credible register which contains only eligible Ghanaian voters, it stated that it would deploy all legitimate means to ensure the expunging of ineligible persons including foreigners from the voters register.
The issue of foreign nationals participating in the country’s electoral process has always been topical especially in electioneering periods. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) prior to the 2016 elections had alleged that the register was bloated with names of foreigners as result of the use of the NHIS card which it said is not a proof of identity.
The electoral commission was later ordered by the Apex Court following a suit by leading member of the NPP to expunge names of those who used the NHIS card to register and afford them an opportunity to establish their eligibility.
Although the then commission’s officials complied with the Court’s order, the current officials of the commission insist the register compiled in 2012 is still bloated with names of foreigners hence its decision to exclude the old voter’s ID as an identity document for acquiring the new voter’s card in the recent voters registration exercise which ended on Thursday August 6, 2020.
