EC, NCCE must do more

EVER since the Electoral Commission (EC) declared that the 2012 General Election was going to be based on biometric system of voting all kinds of things have popped up. The latest one that appears to be running through the rumour mill is speculations to the effect that scanners to be used in the biometric exercise can cause cancer or erectile dysfunction.

WE at Today are extremely disquieted that people are employing all kinds of schemes- some very dirty- to scare eligible Ghanaian voters from voting in this year’s presidential and parliamentary polls. The question we are asking is: WHY?

IN FACT, our country’s democracy has been applauded by governments all over the world. Ghana has become a beacon of hope for many African countries that are struggling to entrench democratic tenets. That is how far many African countries look up to Ghana!

IT is against this backdrop that we on Today commend the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the Electoral Commission (EC) for coming out to dispel rumours that scanners for the biometric voters registration can cause cancer or erectile dysfunction.

A Daily Graphic news item yesterday indicated that the EC and NCCE have assuaged the fear of the Ghanaian electorate that the scanners will be similar to the ones stationed and used at international airports. The deputy Chairperson of the NCCE, Madam Augustina Akumanyi, was emphatic that the scanners will not- in any way- endanger the lives of voters

WE at Today add our voice to the assurances given by the two bodies- the EC and the NCCE. We are inclined to believe that some unscrupulous Ghanaians are spreading these wild rumours just to create panic among the Ghanaian voting population. We therefore urge the law enforcement agencies to start investigating where these rumours are coming from and arrest those behind them.

WE also want to use our medium to encourage the EC and the NCCE to intensify education on the biometric voters registration as it appears that there are more questions to be addressed on the system.