NDC in shock, big shot resigns

The National Democratic Congress says it is yet to come to terms with the shocking resignation of the party's 2nd National Vice Chairman Alhaji Said Sinare from the party.

Alhaji Sinare did not give any reasons for his resignation saying "I have resigned and that is all. I'm not gonna talk about it".

He however said those who wish to know why he resigned should ask another guru in the NDC, Mr. Ato Ahwoi.

But Mr. Ato Ahwoi told Joy News he has no idea what Alhaji Sinare was talking about.

Alhaji Sinare said he is not going to join any other political party because he is not a stomach politician.

"I am not going to join anybody's campaign trail. I'm not stomach politician", he told Joy News.

He told the Joy FM's Super Morning Show host, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah that he was hurt but will not go further.

He said he ought to have resigned from the party long ago because he won primaries in 1999 and was not given the nod.

According to him, the NDC will definitely win the December elections so to take such a decision only buttresses the extent to which he is hurt.

Alhaji Sinare is one of the party's pillars especially in the Zongo communities.

His resignation is therefore seen as a major blow to the party.

The First Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah said everything possible must be done to bring Alhaji Sinare back to the party.

He said "Alhaji is a big brother and so if he is hurt the proper thing to do is give him a hearing".

He said he did not have a clue as to what the reason for his resignation could be.

The resignation he said can have a psychological impact on the party and its chances.

Responding to suggestions that the dissociation of the party from comments made by the former first lady created some disunity within the NDC, Afriyie Ankrah said "there is absolutely nothing wrong with disagreeing with someone".

He said although he joined the NDC because of his admiration for former president Rawlings, there were times when he disagreed with him (Rawlings).

Electoral Commission launches Revision of Voters Register

The Electoral Commission on Monday launched the revision of the voter's registration for the December 2008 elections with a float through the principal streets of Accra.

The main objective of this exercise was to offer Ghanaians who have turned 18 years an opportunity to register to vote in the 2008 general elections and also give chance to other eligible Ghanaians who could not register in the previous registration exercise to enable them to register to vote.

The float, which took off at exactly 1100 hours amidst Brass band music started from the EC headquarters through Adabraka, New Town, Kwame Nkrumah Circle, business streets of Accra and finally ended at the Press Centre around 1400 hours.

Mr. Christian Owusu Parry, the Acting Director for Public Affairs at the Electoral Commission said the float was also being organised in the regional capitals to create awareness and encourage active participation.

He advised against double registration, stressing, "anybody who is found registering again has breached the law and will face a jail term." He called on registered voters who have their voters ID card missing to report to the various district offices of the EC across the country to get a replacement and added that already registered individuals who have changed residence not to register but rather report to the Commission get their names transferred to enable them to cast their votes.

Mr Owusu said the Commission had extended the days from 10 to 11 days to give students and workers the opportunity to use the weekends to register.

The registration exercise, expected to take place at specific centres in each electoral areas will begin from Thursday July, 31 to Sunday August 10, 2008. Qualified citizens can apply for registration in person from 0700 hours (7:00 am) up to 1800 hours (6:00pm) each day including weekends.

Source: GNA