Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a member of parliament representing North Tongu, has stressed that the minority will defend its stance and resist any efforts to make the Ghana Card the only required ID for voter registration.
Mr. Ablakwa questioned how the government would raise money to secure the issuing of new Ghana Cards in a Facebook post seen by GhanaWeb, given that the same administration had fallen short on a number of its financial obligations.
"A government that is now providing Ghana Card assurances worth a startling GHS1.4 billion is unable to pay bondholders, supply furniture for 2.3 million students, alleviate SHS congestion, clear NaBCo arrears, or keep its pledges to COVID frontliners.
When will some politicians realize that meeting the needs and aspirations of the public is their only chance for survival and that dishonest mafia electoral manipulation is ineffective?
There shall be no new CI; the NDC Caucus in Parliament means it in every sense, he continued.
His comments follow the minister of finance's promise that the government has achieved a deal with CalBank for a GH100 million facility to guarantee the release of the over 3 million Ghana Cards that are being held in bonded warehouses.
The minister gave the guarantee following the National Identification Authority's disclosure that it owes a private firm over GH100 million for the supply of blank cards, and as a result, the company has refused to give Ghana Cards to certain individuals.
In his Tuesday address to Parliament, Mr. Ofori-Atta stated, "We have committed to a GH100 million facility to guarantee that the 3.2 million cards are issued." GH80 million has been deposited, and the remaining GH20 million will be paid by this evening.
The Ghana Card would be the only form of identity accepted for voter registration prior to the 2024 elections, according to Electoral Commission (EC) Chair Jean Mensa.
According to Madam Jean Mensa, who briefed Parliament on the proposed constitutional instrument for the next general elections, the C.I. intends to encourage continuous voter registration and would provide an all-year-round registration of eligible voters at its district offices.
"During the restricted voter registration process, registration took place only during specific times of the year." As a result, those who turned 18 after the registration period could not register once the limited registration period ended, which was often within two to three weeks.
"Under the new C.I., anyone who turns 18 may easily register to vote by visiting any of our district offices. In comparison to the prior one, this is a change. This has the major benefit that prospective voters can register at any time, any day. Due to the fact that it will be an all-year-round activity, eligible people are free to participate whenever they choose.
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