Passionate about the Bill
Francis Kwabena Boachie | Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006
I am a Ghanaian and very passionate about this Bill since I think it has many more advantages than the opposing view seek to elaborate. I wish to submit the following which I think may address the concerns being raised by the opposing group and probably help the EC, when the Bill is finally approved, to allay the fears being expressed by those opposing the Bill.
This submission in my opinion; it could be adapted to help with the education of the opposing groups so that we can have a system that would work for mother Ghana. Let's think about the positives and work and reduce the negatives.
Also may I quote the following Chinese Proverb: The one who says it cannot be done should never interrupt the one who is doing it And also a motto from the University College of London:
" Understanding the Past
" Challenging the Present
" Shaping the Future
So let us all Understand the past, Challenge the present and Shape the future of Ghana. Below are my submissions. In order to allay the fears and suspicion of the opposing group against the People's bill I propose that section of the Bill be amended to say that:
1. Any person living abroad who registers should be able to give a relative's address in Ghana to check their real identity. For example a father, mother etc., even if the parents or relatives live in a village, since the parties have their representatives everywhere in Ghana.
2. A register of all abroad-based citizens should be given to all parties for cross-checking and any objections dealt with by the inter-party advisory committee in Ghana.
3. Once the register is verified, then, the people living abroad can fully participate in the elections by bearing either the full cost or partial cost of the election so conducted abroad.
4. In UK for instance, every registered voter is in the voters register so it will be helpful to cross-check names so registered, to participate in Ghanaian elections. Not every Ghanaian is registered in the UK's voter register but at least that is one source of checking.
5. Voting can then even be done by proxy and collated in embassy's abroad or posting such ballots to Ghana far ahead of the national elections to Ghana for collation and checking against the ratified electoral book for the people outside.
6. This electoral book could also provide useful information for the Government of Ghana to know the true figures of the citizens outside for future decision making.
Francis Kwabena Boachie
British Telecommunication BTexact
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