EC invites proposals for reforms

The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana is inviting proposals for reforms from its major stakeholders, registered political parties, ahead of the 2016 general elections.

A statement issued by Deputy Chairman of the Commission, Amadu Sulley, gave “end of November” as deadline for the proposals to be submitted.

“EC having recognized the political parties as their main stakeholders, the Commission will therefore appreciate that each registered political party indicates what it considers needed reforms in the country’s electoral system and forward the recommendations forthwith,” the statement issued on Friday, September 6, 2013 observed.

It added that the recommendations must be within the context of the country’s existing laws and systems.

Meanwhile, the Principal Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Commission, Sylvia Annor, has told TV3 News that the calls implicitly go to all Ghanaians.

“I don’t think it is limited to political parties. The political parties are not only limited to the top hierarchy. They are made up of people from all sectors,” she told TV3’s Edward Kwabi.

She pointed out that since 1992 the EC has invited proposals after every major election.

“This is not the first time the EC is requesting recommendations from people,” she stressed.

The EC together with John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was dragged to court by three persons – Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey – who claimed the 2012 Elections were fraught with irregularities.

The eight-month long hearing in court ended with calls for electoral reforms from many Ghanaians, including the former United Nations Secretary, General Kofi Annan.