By Alex Boye
The leadership of Young Patriots Movement (YOPAM), a political group, has advised the Electoral Commission (EC) to rescind its decision of embarking on a limited voters registration exercise ahead of the 2024 General elections.
They disclosed that their action was in line with the numerous groups and individuals calling on the EC to boycott their intended exercise.
In a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the movement yesterday, George Amoah, noted that the intended exercise by the EC would go a long way to have a negative impact on the 2024 General elections.
“We add our voice as a movement to the many voices including Nananom, civil society organisations, political parties as well as sections of the Ghanaian populace availing on the EC of Ghana to reconsider its decision of doing the limited voter registration in only District offices” he stated.
Below is the statement issued by the movement yesterday;
YOUNG PATRIOTS MOVEMENT (YOPAM) CALLS ON THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION TO RESCIND ITS DECISION ON LIMITED VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE
We add our voice to the many voices including Nananom, Civil Society Organizations, Political Parties as well as sections of the Ghanaian populace calling on the Electoral Commission of Ghana to reconsider its decision of doing the limited voter registration in ONLY DISTRICT OFFICES
This decision is not only going to disenfranchise FIRST TIME VOTERS (TFV) but would also not encourage the principles of democracy.
This is because these first time Voters would not have a feel of how the Nation’s biggest Democracy is practiced.
We as a group, thought, considering the importance of the Local Assembly Elections, the EC would have had these First Time Voters on mind so they will probable use this Upcoming District Assembly Elections as a dress rehearsal for the General Elections ahead of the country on 7th December, 2024, by which by then, theses First Time Voters would have gotten the exposure, experience and a fair of the electoral systems in our quest to reduce REJECTED BALLOTS which mostly places 3rd behind the NDC or NPP in general Elections.
Another reason this decision will not be helpful in these crucial times of ours is the high cost of transportation.
Of late, the fluctuating nature of our transport fares is a major disadvantage to many youths, who are First Time Voters and may not have the means to travel from far places to their District Capitals for registration and eventually voting.
For instance, a District like Bosome-Freho, where from the District Capital to Nyamebekyere in the Nsuta Zone which shares political boundary with the Adansi Asokwa Constituency is about 60km
From Asiwa, the District Capital to Apewu in the lake Zone is also about 21km and from Asiwa to Anweaso which shares common political boundary with Asante Akyem South is also about 24km. Again, from a District like Ejura Sekyedumasi where the District Capital is located in Ejura, Registrants coming from Bemi, which shares common political boundary with AFIGYA KWABRE North will spend about 53 km to reach Ejura to register and return.
We believe if this dream of the EC is left to materialized, most of the people will not go to register.
After all, what would be the motivation for the First Time Voter to go register to exercise his/her constitutional rights by going through such an ordeal.
At first, the motivation would have been at least even if he/she couldn’t vote, at least she can use the voter’s ID card to engage in banking and other international transactions but for the operations of the National Identification Authority issuing Ghanaians with Ghana Card which is now the Sole acceptable mode of identification in about 90% of daily business transactions, what would one gain from registering after spending about 180 cedis on transportation to register?
What happens if they come but unfortunately there is a system jam or whatever, who will give such people places to lodge for the next day and so on?
We would however suggest to the EC to consider doing the registration at various Electoral Areas if not all Polling Stations as it has been the practice in recent times and not leave it on political parties to fund their supporters to the registration centers as this will increase the budget of political parties and eventually breed the ‘moneytization’ we have all vehemently spoken against.
This among many other security and risk-related issues are why we’re calling on the EC to reconsider its decision and make this registration friendly for all.
God Bless Our Homeland Ghana!
BAFFOUR AKUAMOAH
NATIONAL PRESIDENT, YOPAM
Tel: +0542818631
GEORGE AMOAH
YOPAM EXECUTIVE
0242205252
MAXWELL BOACHIE DEGRAFT
YOPAM EXECUTIVE
0541218133
