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The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has come under fire for failing to bring resolution to some post -electoral disputes before deciding to go on recess.
According to some Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s), it is imperative for the EC to reverse its intended one-month long break and attend to the critical issues at hand.
In a joint press statement, the CSO’s argued that,
“given the current post-election context and the matters arising, some of which might require their attention, we find it unacceptable that the EC should be shutting down at this critical moment at this critical moment, and without any clarification to the public of the alternative arrangements that have been put in place”.
The Jean Mensa-led Commission had earlier announced on December 21, that the EC would shut down temporarily for the Christmas and New Year festive season.
According to the Deputy Chairperson in charge of Corporate Services at the EC, Bossman Asare, the break is expected to commence Wednesday, December 23, 2020 and work would resume on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.
The CSO’s further expressed disappointment that minority caucus in Parliament was barred from submitting a petition to the Electoral Commission which resulted in a clash with some security personnel.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) after a dozen demonstrations across the country had resolved to formally petition the EC to address their concerns about the December 7 polls but were stopped by some security personnel at the EC headquarters.
“In light of the EC’s response that it received the notice late, and that it holds the institution of Parliament in high regard, we kindly urge the Minority to re-submit their petition and the results it has, to the EC, as soon as possible, for prompt action”, the CSO’s urged.
While demanding that the EC should review its decision to take one-month long leave to tackle all outstanding matterd, the Civil Society Organisations also called on the EC to activate mechanisms for inclusive stakeholder dialogue as part of the electoral management process.
Additionally, they asked all political parties and Ghanaians to use peaceful means of protesting, dialogue and legal means for resolving disagreements.
The statement was signed by the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG),
Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII),
Centre for Democratic Development (CDD),
Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA),
Civic Forum Initiative (CFI),
Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) and
Norsaac
