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The Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Wa East constituency, Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, has raised a crucial concern regarding the ongoing limited voters’ registration exercise in the Wa East District. Dr. Jasaw, in an effort to address the significant accessibility challenges faced by the residents of this district, has earnestly appealed to the Electoral Commission (EC) for the establishment of an additional registration center. This center would be strategically located in an area that would be more accessible to over 80% of the district’s population.
The core of Dr. Jasaw’s plea centers around the present location of the EC’s district office. Currently, this office is situated in a manner that favors the Sissala belt, while a substantial portion of the district’s populace finds themselves either physically isolated due to impassable rivers or deterred by the appalling conditions of the roads leading to the district capital where the EC office is based.
Dr. Jasaw passionately expresses, “The situation we find ourselves in is a significant hindrance to accessibility and, by extension, the crucial exercise of registering new voters. The Wa East District’s circumstances are unique, with the capital situated in Funsi. Accessing Funsi poses a formidable challenge due to the cut-off roads caused by the rivers. Therefore, the choice of the district capital for this registration becomes a substantial constraint. I appeal to the government and the EC to consider establishing a new registration center for the Wa East District; otherwise, a large number of eligible voters will be unable to reach the capital for registration.”
The MP’s appeal is particularly timely considering the deplorable state of all roads leading to the district capital, where the current EC office is located. These poor road conditions have become a significant impediment to citizens’ ability to access the registration center, thereby infringing upon their fundamental democratic rights.
In a press conference held after his thwarted journey to the EC office, Dr. Jasaw emphasized the pressing need for an additional, more accessible registration center. He staunchly asserts that no citizen should be disenfranchised simply because of the lack of proper road infrastructure.
Furthermore, Dr. Jasaw goes on to lament that the pitiable condition of the roads leading to the district office not only affects the electoral process but also significantly hampers overall development in the region. He underscores that this is not solely an electoral issue; it is fundamentally a matter of basic infrastructural development that impacts the daily lives of the people in the region.
In light of these concerns, the MP is urging the Electoral Commission to take swift and decisive action by establishing an additional registration center that is more accessible to the other areas of the district, which are currently cut off by rivers and lack of passable roads. This proactive step is seen as a way to eliminate the barriers preventing potential registrants from effectively participating in the democratic process, thereby ensuring that the principles of inclusivity and accessibility are upheld in the electoral system.
Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw’s appeal to the Electoral Commission reflects a passionate commitment to upholding the democratic rights of all citizens in the Wa East District. His plea for the establishment of an additional registration center underscores the critical importance of accessibility and inclusivity in the electoral process. It is not just an electoral issue; it is a matter that touches upon the broader development and well-being of the entire region. By addressing these concerns, the EC can contribute to a more equitable and representative democratic system in the Wa East District.
If you are eighteen years old and above and you are a citizen of Ghana, you are eligible for registration as a voter. Go to the registration centre with your Ghana Card or if you don’t have you can go with two guarantors who are already registered voters.
