EC cannot escape blame

The ongoing exhibition of the voters register being undertaken by the Electoral Commission (EC) has recorded low patronage.

It officially ends today.

The week-long exercise began at all polling stations throughout the country last Friday, October 24, 2014 and the not-very-impressive patronage does not bode well for our growing democracy.

Reports from some exhibition centres speak about many challenges and shortcomings such as the distortion of particulars of voters, the deletion of some particulars and many other errors. 

The register has been opened for voters to verify their details, check their names and particulars, as well as make the necessary corrections should there be the need.

The exercise is also to help the EC clean the register by taking out the names of unqualified people, including minors and non-citizens, the deceased and those who have registered twice.

Regrettably, with such a low turnout over the last few days, it will be difficult to achieve the targets of this all-important national exercise.

This is the more reason the Daily Graphic appeals to all Ghanaian voters and the public to visit the exhibition centres today, the last day of the exhibition, as part of their civic responsibility.

We call on all, including the physically challenged, the able-bodied, students, traders and identifiable groups which qualify under the law, to take a keen interest in this national exercise on the last day to make it successful.

They should endeavour to visit the various exhibition centres to check their names on the electoral roll and perform other duties required of them as responsible adults.

While there seems to be lack of interest, low publicity is suspected for the low turnout. Others also attribute it to the Ghanaian attitude of waiting till the 11th hour before rushing to the polling centres to check their particulars.

But in all these excuses, it is the contention of the Daily Graphic that the EC cannot escape blame for the poor show.  We share in the belief  that the inability of the commission to effectively involve and consult with all stakeholders accounts for the low level of public awareness and patronage of this exercise.

The EC, in our considered view, has failed to learn lessons from the past. It gave a short notice for the exhibition of the register, publicity  was poor and absolutely no stakeholder engagement was organised prior to the exercise.

The commission is also to blame for the late release of the register to the political parties to do a proper job on it. Both the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) have expressed worry over the low trend.

Going forward, the EC must endeavour to engage more actively all stakeholders, particularly the political parties, to agree on the appropriate timelines for electoral activities. 

We cannot be satisfied with the excuse that this exercise has always been characterised by low turnout. The Daily Graphic thinks the low turnout offers the right opportunity to improve patronage of the exercise, which is a key driver of any successful democratic governance.