President of the Young Professionals Network (YPN), Stephen Asiedu is pleading with the Electoral Commission to make provision for Ghanaians stranded abroad but who qualify as voters to register to vote.
According to him, there are several Ghanaians stranded in foreign countries who would want to be a part of the registration process to enable them vote in the December elections, however they are unable to do so as a result of travel restrictions imposed by many countries as a result of Covid-19.
“Considering the fact that there are genuine Ghanaians who are stuck abroad, my appeal to the EC is to make room for them to register when they return; that is if they have not put measures in place to enable them register at the various consulates and embassies across the world.”
Speaking to in an interview, Stephen Asiedu said Ghanaians who are stuck abroad cannot be blamed for their unavailability to take part in the ongoing process but said they can however not be left out of the process.
“It’s not their fault that they were out of the country before the lockdown. It is not their fault that the registration is happening while they are out of the country but then, they have the right to vote. So we are appealing that the EC makes room for such persons when they return once the President opens up the borders.”
He is optimistic that the President will open the borders soon and therefore appealed to the EC to put plans in place to carter for such individuals who may return to the country when the borders are opened.
The Electoral Commission began a new voter registration exercise on June 30 despite several opposition from some political parties and civil society groups who argued the increasing rate of COVID-19 infections did not make it prudent for the EC to go ahead with the registration.
President Akufo-Addo in March this year closed down Ghana’s borders to prevent the spread of the corona virus disease.
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Credit: Graphic.com.gh
