The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) is calling on the Electoral Commission (EC) to maintain and enforce the provision in the electoral regulations which states that “no verification, no vote”.
The ‘no verification, no vote’ is to ensure that prospective voters are authenticated before they vote.
The IEA also called on the EC to make every effort to improve upon the equipment and technology in order not to repeat the problem that characterized the 2012 general election with the use of verification device.
[contextly_sidebar id=”feZxxxYwljZnLAyJXyPMMiQz6leFbcpq”]“There is likely to be recurrent instances of qualified voters not being biometrically verified due to failure of technology,”
“This may take the form of the Presiding Officers as well as all candidates or their representatives signing a verification document to enable the voter to vote,” it indicated.
Below is the full statement issued by the IEA
THE IEA ELECTORAL REFORM PROJECT
RECOMMENDATION 4 (FOUR)
“MAINTAIN AND ENFORCE THE N.V.N.V. RULE (NO VERIFICATION, NO VOTE)”
BY
DR RANSFORD GYAMPO, RESEARCH FELLOW, IEA
Introduction
In series 4, of the IEA Electoral Reform Project we discuss Recommendation Four (4). Under this, The IEA is calling on the Electoral Commission to maintain and enforce the provision in the electoral regulations which states that “no verification, no vote.” This means that there must be authentication of finger prints before a person is allowed to vote. However, having regard to the third world conditions that prevail in Ghana, there will be challenges with technology for some time to come. In this regard, there is likely to be recurrent instances of qualified voters not being biometrically verified due to failure of technology. Notwithstanding the need to maintain and enforce the N.V.N.V. rule, we should also think of amending CI.75 to provide for a window of opportunity for a qualified voter who cannot, due to no fault of his, be verified to be enabled to vote. This may take the form of the Presiding Officers as well as ALL Candidates or their Representatives signing a verification document to enable the voter to vote.
The IEA therefore call on the Electoral Commission to as a matter of urgency, initiate appropriate steps to revise our electoral rules, particularly C.I 75 to create a window of opportunity for those who through no fault of theirs cannot be verified. This window should not in anyway undermine the rigid enforcement of the N.V.N.V. rule. Again, every effort should be made to improve upon the equipment and technology.
Please watch out for recommendation Five (5) next week.
By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana