EC debunks allegations on importation of faulty biometric devices

The Electoral Commission has dismissed a publication claiming it has imported some faulty Biometric Voter Registration Devices from Nigeria into the country.

The allegations in the said publication, according to the EC, “are a figment of the writer's [Owula Mangortey, from Odumase Dodowa] imagination since it has not imported any such equipment.”

The article, among others, said: “there is a big question to acquiring new BVDs because there has not been any procurement nor purchasing policies or anything done for such products to be acquired.”

“The Electoral Commission wishes to caution the general public to be wary of such dangerous elements in society who will stop at nothing to peddle malicious falsehood to misinform Ghanaians, tarnish its reputable image and create needless fear and panic in the country,” the EC hit back in a statement on Sunday.

It added: “The Commission is by this statement assuring the general public that the allegations stated in the said article are false and must be disregarded.”

The EC also called on the security agencies to get “to the bottom of this matter.”

Meanwhile, the EC has said it will, from April 18 to May 30, 2020 compile a new voters’ register.

The new roll is expected to be backed by improved technology and security features of which the current one is deficient.

The decision stands, despite resistance from some opposition parties who claim the current register is credible.

The parties have formed a coalition, the Inter-Party Resistance Against New Voters’ Register and have already staged two demonstrations, one in Tamale, Northern Region and the other in Kumasi, Ashanti Region.

The coalition says it won’t back down unless the EC rescinds it decision.

The governing New Patriotic Party and some other opposition parties have however, expressed support for the Commission, calling on the protesters to allow the Commission do its job.

In the meantime, a meeting is expected to take place between the EC and other stakeholders on the matter, although the Commission says the meeting is only to explain the reasoning behind their decision to compile the register.

Article 45 of the 1992 Constitution gives the EC the power to compile the voters’ register, adding in Article 46 that “…in the performance of its functions, the EC, shall not be subject to direction or control of any person or authority.”

Source: Myjoyonline.com