The Volta Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has appealed to former President Jerry John Rawlings to stop Togolese from voting in the upcoming elections.
John Peter Amewu said the credibility of the presidential and parliamentary elections might be jeopardized if foreign nationals are allowed to take part in the election.
A delegation from opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has met with former President Jerry John Rawlings over the issue of Togolese nationals believed to be on Ghana’s electoral roll, Wednesday.
“I have looked around the whole country, honestly, I haven’t seen the caliber of person to approach with this issue,” he said, adding the Electoral Commission (EC) must be prevailed upon to drop the idea before voting day.
Mr Amewu made these remarks when he led a delegation of NPP functionaries to meet the former Ghanaian leader over the issue, Wednesday.
NPP has repeatedly claimed Ghana’s electoral roll has more foreign nationals registered as voters especially citizens of neighbouring Togo.
In October, the Volta Regional NPP launched ‘Operation Eagle Eye’ a campaign to stopTogolese from taking part in Ghana’s election.
This came after General Secretary of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) stomped Togo to persuade citizens who are on the Voter’s register to show up on December 7.
Mr Amewu registered his disappointment with the development, adding it does not augur well for the democratic credentials of the country.
He claimed the NDC enticed Togolese nationals with freebies such as money, T-shirt, Confidor fertilizer among other incentives to get onto the Voter’s register.
Although he believes it was going to be difficult to de-motivate the Togolese from turning up on Election Day, he said there could be progress if eminent personalities like Mr Rawlings adds his voice to the issue.
The former Ghanaian leader thanked the NPP delegation for their concern, promising to study their complaints and act appropriately.
He appealed to the stakeholders of the upcoming election especially the EC and political parties to do “everything and anything possible to maintain the goodwill” the country enjoys.
According to Mr Rawlings, the nation has limited time to head to the polls and as a result, it is important no one undermines the integrity of the electoral process. “That is the only way we can ensure a peaceful election.”
“Irrespective of whoever emerges as a winner, I hope the losing parties and their supporters would have no reason to feel insecure,” he said.
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