Adnan Adams Mohammed
Eight notable Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the country have petitioned the Electoral Commission of Ghana to reconsider its intended decision to take almost a month-long (26 days) Christmas holidays.
Ghanaians on Monday, December 21, 2020, sighted a circular signed by the Deputy Chair (Corporate Services) of the EC, Dr Bossman E. Asare, suggesting that the Electoral Commission (EC) may be going on recess from the 23rd December 2020 to 19th January 2021.
This, the CSOs after an emergency meeting 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 at a time when there are serious post-election issues and unpardonable errors by the EC rising tension in the country.
“We further call on the EC to review its decision on its intended one-month long leave, and assure Ghanaians that until these matters are resolved, the leadership of the Commission will be on duty to discharge its responsibilities fully”, the statement jointly signed by the eight CSOs stated.
Read full statement below:
PRESS STATEMENT
From Civil Society Organisations in Election Programming
(For Immediate Release – 22nd December 2020)
Addressing the Current Post-Elections Political Impasse
At an emergency meeting of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to assess the current post-elections political impasse, we noted with concern, a circular signed by the Deputy Chair (Corporate Services) of the EC, Dr Bossman E. Asare, suggesting that the Electoral Commission (EC) may be going on recess from the 23rd December 2020 to 19thJanuary 2021.
Given the current post-elections 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.
We have also observed with concern that the minority party in Parliament was barred from submitting a petition to the Electoral Commission today by security personnel, thereby preventing them from making their presentation. 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.
We call on the EC to activate mechanisms for inclusive stakeholder dialogue as part of the electoral management process.
We further call on the EC to review its decision on its intended one-month long leave, and assure Ghanaians that until these matters are resolved, the leadership of the Commission will be on duty to discharge its responsibilities fully.
Finally, we urge all political parties and Ghanaians to use peaceful means of protesting, dialogue and legal means for resolving disagreements.
Signatories:
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)
Norsaac
