Citizen Ato Dadzie, the General Secretary of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), has expressed strong reservations about the actions of the Jean Mensa-led Electoral Commission. He believes that the commission’s approach could potentially ignite turmoil within the country due to its unyielding and confrontational tactics.
Citizen Ato Dadzie’s comments stem from his perception that the Electoral Commission is operating without considering the will of the Ghanaian people. He argues that the commission is not above the law and should not assume the authority to make unilateral decisions that disregard the interests of the citizens.
Dadzie’s remarks were centred around the recent decision by the Commission to schedule the commencement of the registration exercise for the District Assembly elections. He finds fault with the requirement that residents of Juapong in the North Tongu District must travel to Bator, located on the other side of the river, in order to register their names for voting purposes.
According to Dadzie, the current regulations under C.I. 91 as amended necessitate individuals without a Ghana card or passport to be accompanied by two guarantors to the District Office of the Commission for registration. He contends that this approach places undue financial burden on individuals aged 18 and above, particularly those residing in remote areas, making it challenging for them to participate in the registration process.
Dadzie accuses the Electoral Commission of ignoring the wisdom offered by the Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) and pursuing a path that could potentially disrupt the democratic process. He questions the Commission’s decision to disregard the input of respected IPAC members, suggesting that such behaviour undermines trust and hinders the advancement of democracy.
In his final remarks, Dadzie expresses his concerns that the Electoral Commission’s uncompromising stance and confrontational behaviour might lead to chaos and undermine the democratic fabric of the nation. He emphasises that the commission’s actions are counterproductive, fostering mistrust and exhibiting a lack of goodwill.
As the dialogue surrounding the Electoral Commission’s decisions continues, Citizen Ato Dadzie’s critique underscores the importance of collaborative and inclusive decision-making processes in maintaining a stable and robust democratic system.