Certain individuals with disabilities (PWDs) are urging the Electoral Commission (EC) to reconsider its decision to limit the registration of new voters for the upcoming District Level Elections (DLE) solely to district commission offices.
The PWDs argue that this decision could disenfranchise many PWDs during the registration process.
The PWDs contend that confining the registration exercise to district commission offices goes against the principles outlined in Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution.
They assert that this decision could make it challenging for PWDs who aspire to join the EC’s electoral roll to do so.
Mr Frederick Assor, the National Coordinator for the Disability Desk of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), made this appeal to the EC during an interview on Accra 100.5 FM’s mid-day news on Monday, August 28, 2023.
He emphasized that it might be difficult for PWDs who wish to register to access the district EC offices, as some may not have the means to transport their wheelchairs to these locations.
He noted that even a blind member would require assistance from a capable individual to travel to the district offices for registration.
Mr Assor called upon Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to intervene in this matter, stating that the decision could negatively impact the rights of PWDs in the country.
He emphasized that democracy involves discussions and urged the EC to engage in dialogue.
He warned that members are giving the EC a seven-day window to reconsider its decision to centralize the registration process. He promised that if the EC fails to respond to their plea, a large-scale demonstration against the EC’s decision is imminent.