Abu Jinapor, aide to New Patriotic Party presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo, has told Joy news that President John Mahama’s comments about voting without verification are “unfortunate”.
During election activities today, some biometric verification machines, which verify voters’ identities, began breaking down across the country. The Electoral Commission (EC) had previously mandated that a voter not verified by a machine should not be allowed to vote.
As reports of mechanical malfunctions poured in from various regions, President Mahama asked the EC to allow constituents to vote even if technical difficulties have prevented their identities from being verified.
Mr. Jinapor took the opportunity to make a jab at the president, saying that Ghanaians live in an era where the rule of law is of foremost importance. The president’s statement, he said, invites lawlessness in spite of the fact that the head of state, more than anyone else, has a responsibility to encourage citizens to abide by the laws of the land.