EC won’t be involved in any partisan media banter – Bossman Asare

Deputy Electoral Commission (EC) chairman in charge of corporate services, Dr. Bossman Asare said if National Democratic Congress  (NDC) had any issues concerning decision at the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting yesterday [Wednesday] the right thing was to wait for the next meeting which is held every month.

Speaking on Eyewitness News the chairman said the EC is not going to have a media batter the NDC.

“So with what transpired yesterday, we at the EC think If the NDC believes certain thing have not been captured properly, IPAC meetings are held every month, next week or next week at most 17th of April there is going to be a meeting, and the case would be discussed extensively. We the EC would never play to any partisan pandering from any entity in this country”.

“Let me make this point very clear, if the EC wants to have a new register, we don’t have to consult the political parties to do it. The constitution makes it vert clear for us. If we want to  have a new register and if in the thinking of the Commission, based on scientific evidence a new register has become necessary, we don’t have to consult the political parties. If even we meet at IPAC and the parties say they don’t think a new register is necessary, the EC will still do it if we think it is right. That decision is the preserve of the EC, he added.

EC to compile new voters’ register

The Electoral Commission is to compile a new voters register for the next presidential and parliamentary elections in Ghana.

The decision was made at an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting held on Wednesday, March 27, 2019.

But the opposition National Democratic Congress has denied agreeing with the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to compile a new voters’ register for the next general elections.

According to the party, no such decision was taken during the meeting.

“We take particular notice of a portion of the EC press release which states as follows: “The Commission will compile a new voters register ahead of the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections. We wish to state emphatically and without any fear of contradiction, that no decision was taken on this matter.”

NDC issued a statement demanding the withdrawal of the communique issued by the EC  because no such consensus was reached.

“In fact, the compilation of a new voters’ register was only mentioned in passing by the EC during discussion on limited registration. There certainly was no “extensive deliberations “ on this particular matter”, the statement added.

Here is the full statement issued by the NDC:

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) notes with concern a Communique issued by the Electoral Commission after the IPAC meeting held on Wednesday, 27th March,2019.

At the meeting under reference, the EC presented for discussion its programmed activities for 2019.

While the press release issued by EC covers aspects of the ensuing discussions we note that there are portions that do not represent the true reflection of what transpired at the IPAC meeting.

We take particular notice of a portion of the EC press release which states as follows: “The Commission will compile a new voters register ahead of the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.”

We wish to state emphatically and without any fear of contradiction, that no decision was taken on this matter.

In fact, the compilation of a new voters register was only mentioned in passing by the EC during discussion on limited registration. There certainly was no “extensive deliberations “ on this particular matter.

The absurdity of such a claim, is amply evident from the Commission’s own Statement, which captured the agenda for discussion as follows;
*Preparations for the 2019 District Level Elections
*Inspection of Political Party Offices
*Updates on the compliance of the Political Parties with Audit requirements.

The compilation of a new voters register was not one of the items on the agenda for discussion, thus cannot warrant a basis for any decision by the political parties.

A careful analysis of the subsequent points in the statement, specifically, point 1,2,4,5,and 6, shows that all the issues raised were clearly in sync with the items on the agenda.

It is self evident, and judging from the flow of the Press Release and its relationship with the agenda above, that item 3 is  totally incongruous to the real issues discussed at the meeting, let alone any purported decision be made on the subject.

The NDC holds the view that, a matter as important as the compilation of a new voters register, has to be discussed in a manner that will ensure that every aspect and the implication of its implementation are thoroughly discussed to the satisfaction of all stake holders and in accordance with due process, time tested rules, procedures and conventions before a  decision is made.

A matter as delicate as such has to be discussed thoroughly and all the related consequences, ramifications
considered before arriving at a decision.

A decision of this nature has grave bearing on the credibility and integrity of our Elections and therefore has to be tabled properly as part of an IPAC Agenda, discussed exhaustively with all relevant stakeholders, before the EC can communicate such a MAJOR DECISION taken at an IPAC meeting to the general public.

No such matter was tabled as part of the agenda, nor was it discussed, either exhaustively or thoroughly as the EC has sought to portray in their communique.

Curiously the communique was signed by only the Chairperson of the Commission instead of the representatives of the various political parties.

Can the EC explain why this is so?

The NDC therefore disassociates itself from the communique and demands it’s withdrawal as it is not in consonance with conclusions of the IPAC meeting.

It may interest you to note that, there were decisions taken which did not find space in the communique.

One such decisions was for the EC to decentralize the limited registration exercise to the Electoral Area level in accordance with the time tested practice in all limited registration exercises since the beginning of the fourth Republic.

The NDC cautions the EC to be mindful of its core mandate to act as a credible impartial referee in the country’s electoral processes and to play by the rule books.

Signed:
Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah
General Secretary – NDC

 

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By: Farida Yusif | citinewsroom.com | Ghana

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