Former President Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, has stated that only a credible electoral register can minimise the stressful political climate ahead of the 2016 general election. He said everything possible must be done to ensure a very credible electoral process in next year’s parliamentary and presidential elections.
The former President was speaking to leaders of a pressure group, Let My Vote Count Alliance (LMVCA), who paid a courtesy call on him at his residence to seek his support for a new voters’ register.
The pro-NPP group has been agitating for a new register because they believe the current register is bloated with names of foreigners.
Flt. Lt. Rawlings admitted that the 2016 elections would be very stressful and challenging, adding that “there is a lot of stress in the air, there is a lot of nervousness…it is going to be a test on all of us.”
Credible register
He said the only way “we can really contain and prevent things from getting out of hands is to ensure that the electoral register is as credible as possible.”
He, however, asked the Electoral Commission to listen to all sides, including organised groups and individuals, in addressing doubts about the voters register.
According to him, the NDC government could co-operate with the NPP in accepting the demand for a new register.
“As a sitting government, I think if we feel pretty confident about that register, we should have no fears in doing what needs to be done to win the confidence and to take away doubts,” he observed.
