A father living in Koforidua known as Yaw Boateng has shared a humiliating story of how his son ended up in the grips of the police because some unknown individuals illegitimately registered him for the purpose of voting.
Mr Yaw explained that his sons were registered in his absence, however when he returned he followed up to ensure that their names were cancelled from the voter register.
He mentioned signing affidavits and following a cancellation process, but four years later, it appears that the EC officials failed to fulfill their duties.
As his son reached the age of 18 and attempted to register as a voter, he was shocked to find himself arrested by the police.
“Four years ago in 2020 somewhere in July. I returned one day and realized that my kids have been registered. My daughter is 12 years and she has been registered. My son was 14 years at that time and he was also registered. By unknown persons in Koforidua I realized minors were being registered to suit certain agenda. I don’t do politics so I don’t engage myself. So quickly I wrote a letter to the Municipal director of the EC petitioning of what has happened and asking him to delete the name. I wrote a letter on 23rd July 2020.”
“I have the letter here. Fast forward, they invited me and I met a panel and they made me do an affidavit swearing that the kids were my kids, the date of birth given to them were legitimate and they agreed that they have been registered. They collected the cards from me and assured me that they will delete the names. Fast forward 4 years later my boy turns 18. He comes here, he joins the queue to register and gets me a call that he has been arrested.”
“I rushed and brought the letter, and they asked that I come and meet the EC on Monday for further discussion. I find it weird because my son has gone through a lot of trauma. He called me shivering, frightened because he has been arrested by the police when he has done nothing wrong but also because someone neglected his duty. 4 years?!”
“its weird. And for the trauma that my boy has been through, I think on Monday the EC will have some questions to answer. Because phytologically he is not stable. He is in SHS 3 getting ready for exams. Look at the humiliation he’s been through. He’s been humiliated in public and people are calling me. Lets assume I was not in Koforidua, What will happen?,” Mr Yaw Boateng explained to the media.