Allegations Of EC Bias Is Untenable – Joe Osei Owusu
Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament (MP) for Bekwai, Joseph Osei Owusu says the Electoral Commission (EC) is on course with the arrangements it has put in place for the limited registration exercise. He says the outcry by the majority of Ghanaians asking for the EC to reconsider its directive to limit the registration centers for the limited registration exercise to only its offices is unfounded.
Speaking to our reporter in Dallas, in the United States, Mr. Osei Owusu said the the ongoing registration is not a major one and is only meant to update the register for “District Level Elections”. He said it is normal for political parties to bus their supporters to registration centers, wherever they may be and therefore there is nothing wrong with EC boss Jean Mensah’s decision to cut down the number of locations where voters may go to register.
“The suggestion that the Electoral Commission is cutting anybody out is untenable” he said.
The suggestion that the Electoral Commission is cutting anybody out is untenable
He said the constitution does not necessarily enjoin the EC to “spread” out the opportunity for Ghanaians to register to vote, but it (the constitution) gives the power to the EC to “regulate” the mandate to conduct the limited registration exercise and it is up to the electoral refereeing body to decide how they conduct the exercise.
“Nowhere in the constitution does it say spread. The constitution gives the power to [the] EC to regulate, usually by the CI, they extend the registration to electoral areas”.
“The constitution asks the EC to regulate, the EC decides where to put it at any point in time”, he added.
The constitution asks the EC to regulate, the EC decides where to put it at any point in time
Mr. Osei Owusu who was attending the annual GHANAFEST in Dallas, Texas as a Guest of Honor together with the Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, said there is going to be other openings available for people to register before the actual elections.
“Registration is an ongoing exercise; all year round, the office is open and is registering people”, he told our reporter.
The GHANAFEST is an annual outdoor event showcasing Ghanaian culture, food, music etc. This year’s event took place in Dallas with a variety of Ghanaian groups and individuals in attendance.
