Give the vulnerable priority in future elections— Child Rights International

Some vulnerable groups were not given priority access to polling stations during the December 7 general election, Child Rights International has said. 

The groups included pregnant women, nursing mothers and parents with children under five years.

Mr Bright Appiah, the Executive Director of Child Rights International, made this known when he briefed journalists in Accra on the findings of an investigation conducted by the organisation on this year’s general election.

The non-governmental organisation (NGO) said although persons with disabilities and the aged were given the necessary support and attention to go through the voting process without any difficulties, in future the electoral system must be improved to include other vulnerable groups.

“There were discrepancies in the services provided for pregnant women, nursing mothers and parents with children under five by officials of the Electoral Commission (EC), security personnel and polling agents of the various political parties,” Mr Appiah said.

Report

The report was based on observations made by officials of Child Rights International who visited various polling stations throughout the country on Election Day.

The objective of the survey was to find out whether adequate measures were put in place by the EC, the security agencies and polling agents to support and ensure that the voting processes were easily accessible by vulnerable groups during the general election.

Observation

According to Mr Appiah, an average of 20 constituencies were visited in each region.

At some polling stations, he said, “pregnant women and nursing mothers were compelled to wait in queues for a long time before casting their votes”.

He said even though at a few polling stations seats were provided for pregnant women and nursing mothers, that was done out of the generosity of residents who lived nearby and sometimes at the behest of EC officials, the security personnel or polling agents.

He said there were a few instances when pregnant women were given the opportunity to vote on arrival at polling stations without having to queue.

He said in some instances parents with children under five did not receive any attention at the polling stations and had to queue for hours to cast their votes.

The report had pictures showing vulnerable and disadvantaged people standing in long queues.

Children’s act

Making reference to the Children’s Act 1998, Mr Appiah said Section 2(2) on welfare principles stipulates that: “The best interest of the child shall be the primary consideration by any court, person, institution or other body in any matter concerned with a child.”

In view of the provisions of the act, he said, the EC was “expected by the law to protect the best interest of children”.

Writer’s email: emelia.ennin@graphic.com.gh