The acting Director of Public Affairs of the Electoral Commission (EC), Sylvia Annoh, has expressed concerns about various attempts by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to interfere in their work.
According to her, the opposition party is always trying to impose their “ought to” situations on the commission.
She urged the NDC to leave the commission to do their work and try not to get involved in their mandate, but rather focus on their advisory services.
In an interview recently with Samuel Eshun, the EC spokesperson said, “If it is advice, yes, you can give that to the EC as a political party and member of IPAC but, you can’t tell the commission what it should do”.
“There are over 25 political parties in the country which advise the EC and why is the NDC being insistent we work with theirs?”
She noted with clarity that if the commission started working with the advice of a single party, that would not be in the interest of the nation.
Pointing out the independence of the EC, she asserted that ” regardless of the EC’s independence they still function within the confines of the constitution” and will continue about its duties so far as they were lawful.
“The EC is being reasonable, seeking advice from its stakeholders and has done so since 1992. But that doesn’t require us to implement these pieces of advice if it’ll affect our work, especially if it is from a single political party,” she reiterated.
“Praying for the COVID-19” curve to flatten more for them to execute their mandate.
The Electoral Commission believes comments made by Minority Leader, Hon Haruna Iddrisu, during a press conference held on 7th May, 2020 was sought to attack the integrity and mandate of Electoral Commission.
The Electoral Commission has stated that it will go ahead and compile a new voters’ register for the upcoming polls adding that no individual or authority can direct or control them.
In a statement, the EC said, “As stated in Article 46 of the 1992 Constitution, the EC would like to reiterate that it shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority in the performance of its functions, except as provided for in the constitution or any other law consistent with it.
“All stakeholders are hereby reminded that plans are far advanced for the compilation of a new voters register with a new voter management system for the upcoming 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections. The Commission is, however, sensitive to the current state of affairs due to the COVID 19 pandemic, and will abide by the necessary precautions and safety protocols in the execution of its mandate when it deems it appropriate to begin the compilation of the register.”
The Electoral Commission has also cautioned the general public to “disregard any fictitious election timetable and other letters circulating on social media purporting to have emanated from the Commission”.
– happyghana.com
