J.H. Mensah says voters' register
bloated by 3 million
We will not concede defeat
– NDC
Treat the EC with the
uniqueness it deserves -Prof. Dumor
Family requests private
coroner inquest
NPP man denies involvement
in fuel deal
Political leaders urged to
exercise restraints
Accra
records 3,001 accidents between January and June
Seventeen women win seats
in parliamentary elections
EC refutes Agbesi's claim
of malpractice at Ashaiman
GJA condemns assault on TV3
crew
GJA commends journalists
for coverage of election
New govt must reconcile
nation – IEA
Revised standings in
parliament after 199 seats
Breakdown of regional
presidential votes in 200 constituencies
J.H. Mensah says voters'
register bloated by 3 million
Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 12 December 2000
Minority Leader John Henry Mensah on Monday intimated that the voters' register is bloated by three million names and not 1.5 million as the Electoral Commission (EC) estimated.
He explained that in spite of the large turnout in the December elections, the number of votes cast was still below 70 per cent of the total number of registered voters.
"The situation, therefore, indicates an urgent need for the compilation of a fresh register to enhance the credibility and integrity of the electoral process and prevent the possible use of excess names for partisan purposes."
Mr. Mensah told the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani that the present register, which contains more than 10 million names, "is too bloated to be revised".
"Even though it is accepted that technically, half of the country's population of 18.4 million people is eligible to vote by virtue of age, it does not mean they are qualified to actually vote," he said.
The minority leader explained that this was due to the fact that the half could comprise foreigners who are counted during census as part of the population, and Ghanaians who for one reason or the other did not register.
"If we take all these into consideration, what it means is that the actual number of eligible voters in the country may be around 7.8 million people at most and not the over 10 million on the register."
Mr. Mensah blamed the EC for the present state of the register "as it has persistently refused to heed the call for the compilation of a fresh and more credible one since 1992".
He chided the Commission for its poor management of information about the election results and accused the Ghana Journalists Association of conniving with the EC to impede the rapid flow of news on the results.
"The cult of secrecy in the public service is very much evident in the operations of the Commission but what it must realise is that, in law, once a presiding or returning officer has certified a result, it is the public's right to know."
Mr. Mensah said the Commission's failure to deliver on its promise to announce the results 72 hours after the elections was unpardonable, and described Dr. Afari-Gyan's press conference in Accra on Sunday as "porous".
"The fact is that Mr. J.A. Kufuor beat Professor Atta Mills by a quarter of a million votes whilst the NPP achieved an over-all majority in parliament; but the Electoral Commissioner kept silent on this vital information and only concentrated on the run-off."
The minority leader urged the minority parties to throw their weight behind the NPP in the second round to ensure a resounding victory to pave the way for the emergence of a government capable of saving the country from collapse.
He contended that the NDC and Professor Mills, in particular, should have conceded defeat in the face of the massive votes cast against them to spare the nation the trauma of another election.
GRi…/
We will not concede defeat
– NDC
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 December 2000
The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Monday said calls by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on the NDC to concede defeat and allow the NPP to form the next government without a re-run of elections is a big joke.
In a telephone interview with the GNA, Mr George Quaynor-Mettle, Propaganda Secretary of the NDC said: "It would be a big joke for us to throw in the towel at this stage." After the first round of election last Thursday, Mr John Agyekum Kufuor of the
NPP polled 48.35 per cent of total votes cast and Professor John Atta Mills of the NDC polled 44.9 per cent.
The five other candidates shared the rest of the votes. Since no party won the required 50 per cent plus one of the total votes cast to be declared the outright winner, a run-off would be held in 21 days after the declaration of the result between the top two contestants.
Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission, on Sunday said the run-off is estimated at about 15 billion cedis.
Following Dr. Afari-Gyan's estimation, Mr. Dan Botwe, General Secretary of the NPP, called on the NDC to "throw in the towel and save the country 15 billion cedis."
Mr. Botwe said it is obvious from the pattern of voting in the first round and the declaration of the four small parties to support the NPP that "it is will be a waste of time and money for the NDC to contest the second round."
But Mr Quaynor-Mettle said: "the NPP's call for the NDC to give up is not only a joke but also to serve their selfish political interest."
"The NPP should stop pretending as if their prime motive is to save Ghana 15 billion cedis," he said. "We are not ready to disappoint the millions of Ghanaians who believe in our ability to move this country forward."
Mr Quaynor-Mettle said the NDC is currently preparing its campaign strategy for the second round poll.
"It is too early at this stage to discuss our strategies," he said. "In due course we will come to the press with a complete package of how we intend to win the second round of election." He said he is optimistic that the NDC would win the run-off.
GRi…/
Treat the EC with the
uniqueness it deserves -Prof. Dumor
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 12 December 2000
Professor Ernest Dumor, a member of the Electoral Commission (EC), on Monday appealed to the government to treat the Commission with the uniqueness it deserves.
He said developing a democratic culture is an expensive venture and the uniqueness of the democratic system depends on the willingness of any society to pay the monetary price.
"If you leave it to external support, the democracy you will have will be truncated," he said.
Professor Dumor, who is responsible for the Ashanti region, was speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi in reaction to the outcome of the Dec. 7 election.
"Indeed for me, the fundamental principles of consensus building have been demonstrated