The National Coordinator of the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), Albert Arhin, has made an appeal to the Electoral Commission (EC) to consider extending the limited voter registration exercise in the Bawku Municipality, located in the Upper East Region.

Mr Arhin emphasized that such an extension could contribute to the stabilization of the tense situation in Bawku.

In an interview conducted on Joy FM's Top Story on Friday, September 29, Albert Arhin suggested that during the extension period, the Electoral Commission should ensure an adequate supply of registration machines.

This, he explained, would allow for the establishment of additional registration centers, facilitating the participation of eligible voters and enabling them to exercise their democratic rights.

“I will advise that since the registration ends on October 2, the EC can extend it for peace to prevail,” he suggested.

These remarks from Albert Arhin come in response to the Electoral Commission's decision to halt the limited voter registration exercise in the area, which was prompted by escalating tensions. Reports suggest that the suspension is a result of disputes between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

JoyNews received confirmation of this incident from Williams Obeng Darkwa, the Upper East Regional Director of the Electoral Commission. Although Darkwa acknowledged the suspension, he cited security concerns as the primary factor behind the decision and refrained from elaborating on the specific issues that led to the suspension.

“On point of service, we had little misunderstanding among active political players and therefore in the name of peace, we thought it was unsafe for our personnel and equipment to be exposed. Therefore, we had to put it on hold,” he told JoyNews.

According to Williams Obeng Darkwa, despite the current state of calm in the area, he is still awaiting approval from higher authorities in Accra to proceed with the voter registration process. However, the Electoral Commission (EC) has declined to resume the process because the two political parties could not come to an agreement on a roadmap for the continuation of voter registration.

Specifically, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) did not sign the agreement document.

Mr Albert Arhin, in response, suggests that given the discontent among Bawku constituents due to the suspension of the exercise, the EC should consider extending it and registering people in additional centers as a means of appeasement.