The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) is upbeat that the nation will achieve more than the mandatory 40 per cent voter turn-out in the upcoming December 17, 2019, district level elections and referendum.
A constitutional requirement of 40 per cent votes from qualified voters out of which 75 per cent must vote “yes” in favour of the referendum, is critical to make the amendment of Article 55 (3) of the 1992 Constitution, a possibility.
Article 55(3), an entrenched part of the constitution, which hitherto barred political parties from participating in district assembly elections, is needed to be amended in referendum, to pave way for multi-partisan local government system.
Ms Josephine Nkrumah, the Chairperson for the Commission, speaking at the Ashanti Regional launch of citizens’ education, sensitisation and awareness raising campaign on the 2019 district level elections and referendum in Kumasi, said the elections was one of the important polls for participatory democracy and good governance in the country and efforts were being made by commission to ensure massive participation and success.
“Steps in form of massive public sensitisation, education and awareness include regional launches, community durbars, stakeholder meetings, focus group discussion, film shows, dawn and dusk broadcast, field visits to identifiable groups, interpersonal engagements and raising event at educational institutions.
“The commission is partnering with Information Services Department, Electoral Commission and Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to ensure steps to be taken reach doorstep of the citizenry.
“It is refreshing all political parties have also indicated their support and assistance for paradigm shift to galvanise supporters to vote, all hands on deck approach, registered voters, especially first timers to vote for its success, media support and assistance,” Mrs Nkrumah stressed.
Elizabeth Agyemang, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, commended key stakeholders for collectively organizing the educational platform, “as nation with growing democracy good governance and rule of law, the move would give the citizenry broad understanding to enable us in the regions appreciate need for referendum and constitutional amendments on local elections.
“Low voter turn-out in past years at district level elections has been quite disturbing for growth of democratic, good governance and rule of law, need for sustained engagements by stakeholders to whip up citizenry interest and mobilise them towards attaining higher voter turn-out,” she intimated. -GNA
