EC Battles Aliens, Minors In Register

THE ELECTORAL Commission (EC) says although it has been able to eliminate double registration from the biometric register, it still has problems with aliens and minors being on the voters� register. According to the Commission Member responsible for Brong Ahafo, Ebenezer Aggrey Fynn, the problem had arisen because the biometric machine could not detect the finger prints of aliens and minors during the biometric registration. Speaking at an EC dialogue with the various parliamentary candidates contesting this year�s elections in the Brong Ahafo Region at the weekend in Sunyani, Mr. Aggrey Fynn partially put the blame at the doorstep of politicians, accusing them of pushing most of the minors to the centres to register in order to advance their political fortunes. �Those who are corrupting these infants at such tender age must bury their heads in shame,� he said. He disclosed that the Commission had captured names of all minors in the register on a separate register. According to the Commission Member, though minors could not be physically prevented from casting their ballot, when they attempt to vote on December 7, the EC would investigate them and have them arrested and prosecuted. Mr. Aggrey Fynn therefore appealed to parents and the political parties to dissuade the affected children from coming out to vote in order not to endanger their future, stating, �For the sake of power we should not damage the future of these children.� He indicated that the phenomenon was prevalent not only in the northern regions, but also in the Kintampo North constituency of the Brong Ahafo region and other parts of the country. Speaking on the topic, �The Inbuilt Integrity of the Electoral Process as It Relates to Polling Day and Preparations by the Commission So Far�, Mr. Aggrey Fynn said the electoral system was so robust that it would be able to produce impartial results. He said the system was transparent and the Commission had done everything in the run-up to the elections in the open, always involving the various stakeholders, especially the political parties, to boost their confidence in the electoral system, adding that the Commission had applied the electoral regulations and laws in a manner without favour to any political party. �We have been able to do our work without any undue interference by the government, so you can be assured that the system in which you are going to participate in is fair enough without you entertaining any fear of bias,� the Commission member told the parliamentary candidates. Touching on polling agents, Mr. Aggrey Fynn charged the parliamentary candidates to be meticulous in the selection of agents by picking people who could read and write since elections are won or lost at the polling centre. He said it was the agent who would protect the interest of the candidate, saying, �If you select a bad agent you may have a bad result.� The Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the EC, George Gyabaah, earlier explained that the dialogue was to further deepen the confidence of candidates, especially the first timers in the electoral process, through a reflection of the inbuilt integrity of the electoral system, update candidates on the preparations so far made by the Commission towards the fast-approaching polls, provide a platform for the candidates to seek explanation from the Commission at the highest policy level on matters that might be agitating their minds and to improve communication and exchange contact with the candidates. Mr. Gyabaah seized the occasion to plead with the aspirants to conduct a clean campaign devoid of insults and intimidation since elections were about issues and choices. There was a demonstration of the biometric voting and verification, whilst the candidates took turns to seek clarifications on issues regarding the upcoming elections.