Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has put his campaign to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on hold to focus on mobilizing eligible voters to register for the upcoming election.
Dr. Bawumia, who is seeking to become the flagbearer of the ruling party, announced on Saturday that he would visit selected Electoral Commission (EC) Registration centres to encourage party loyalists and supporters to participate in the ongoing voter registration exercise.
The campaign urged all party members to take note of the registration target for each constituency and strive to achieve it.
The spokesperson for the vice president, Gideon Boako, Ph.D, signed off on the announcement in a press release issued Saturday September 23, 2023.
The voter registration exercise, which started on September 1 and will end on October 31, is aimed at updating the electoral roll ahead of the general election scheduled for December 7, 2023.
According to the EC, about 12 million eligible voters have registered so far, out of an estimated 17 million target.
The exercise has been marred by some challenges, such as technical glitches, long queues, and allegations of multiple registrations and violence.
Some opposition parties, such as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the People’s National Convention (PNC), have accused the EC of bias and incompetence, and have called for an independent audit of the process.
The EC has denied any wrongdoing and has assured the public that it is committed to delivering a credible and transparent election.
Political analysts say that the voter registration exercise is crucial for both the NPP and the NDC, as they seek to secure a majority in parliament and win the presidential race.
The NPP, which won the 2019 election by a narrow margin of less than one percent, is hoping to retain power and continue its agenda of economic transformation and social development.
The NDC, which has been in opposition since 2019, is aiming to reclaim power and implement its vision of a more inclusive and equitable society.
Both parties have been campaigning vigorously across the country, highlighting their achievements and promises, and criticizing their rivals.
Dr. Bawumia’s decision to suspend his campaign tour to boost voter registration shows his commitment to his party’s electoral strategy. By diverting his efforts towards ensuring that his supporters can cast their ballots in the upcoming election, he hopes to increase his chances of becoming the next leader of the NPP and possibly the next president of Ghana.
However, he faces stiff competition from other aspirants within his party, such as Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen and Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.
The NPP is expected to hold its national delegates conference in November to elect its flagbearer for the 2023 election.
As Ghana prepares for another historic election, many citizens are hopeful that the process will be peaceful and democratic, and that the outcome will reflect their aspirations and interests.
Source: Modern Ghana
