The Electoral Commission will today hold an Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting to deliberate on proposals for a new voter register and other critical matters concerning the 2016 elections.
[contextly_sidebar id=”gnKVafB6UaERPwvayuC8fotwrdcgzlgY”]The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) are pushing for a new register for the 2016 election.
The NPP petitioned the EC over the matter adding that without it the 2016 election will not be credible.
NPP’s petition not on IPAC agenda
Speaking to Citi News Director of Public Affairs at the EC, Christian Owusu Parry said the NPP’s petition is not on their agenda for the meeting but they will respond appropriately should it come up.
“It’s a regular IPAC meeting. It’s [NPP’s petition] not on the agenda as a matter that we are going to respond but if it comes up the commission will respond appropriately. I am aware that we have received a petition and we will respond at the right time.”
He said some of the issues they will be discussing at today’s include “continues voter registration and issues to do with inspection of political party offices.”
We are not forcing EC
Meanwhile the General Secretary of the NPP, Kwabena Agyei Agyapong has downplayed claims that the party is seeking to force the hand of the Electoral Commission to agree to their demand for a new voter’s register.
According to him the party is only using opportunities like today’s IPAC to dialogue with all stakeholders on the need for credible elections through a credible register.
“We are of the view that it [voters register] is incurably floored so all we need is to have a credible system that all of us will have a degree of comfort in. We’ve made a very strong case and we are confident that the case will prevail. We are in dialogue, we respect the laws of the land, the Electoral Commission is the regulator, and we respect their opinion. But ultimately the responsibility lies on us as a political party to strengthen our troops on the ground and make sure we do what is required and necessary to protect our ballot,” he added in a Citi News interview.
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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana