‘If new voters' register will restore confidence, let’s do it’ – Rawlings weighs in

Former President Rawlings says only a credible electoral register can minimize the stressful political climate ahead of the 2016 elections.
“Everything possible must be done to ensure a very credible electoral process if this means that we listen to what the elders are saying…I think let’s do it”.
He was speaking to leaders of 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 at least 76,000 foreigners.

NPP’s evidence of a bloated register
The NPP 2016 flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo has also been very vocal in calling on the Electoral Commission to heed the calls for a new register.
According to him, this is to ensure that whoever wins the 2016 general elections will have the “instinctive” and “automatic” support of the loser.
Since the NPP began this campaign for a new voters’ register, some leading voices have weighed into the matter. The Ghana Catholics Bishop Conference says it favours a new register if evidence presented by the NPP is found to be true.
A stateswoman, Dr. Joyce Aryee aslo believes, a new voters’ register will clear the controversy and cure any credibility concerns.
Breaking his silence on the controversy, President Rawlings has been admitting that 2016 will be very stressful and challenging.
“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” 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
Former President Rawlings however wants the electoral commission to listen to all sides including organized groups and individuals in addressing doubts about the voters’ register.
According to Ghana’s longest-serving leader, the NDC government could cooperate 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…to take away doubts,” he observed.
According to former President Jerry Rawlings,  “it is an unfortunate thing to abuse the sanctity of the right of choice.
 
Source – Joyfm