Creation of new regions: EC can’t be blamed – Deputy Chair

Deputy Chairman at the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Eric Asare Bossman, has absolved the Commission from any blame in the creation of the new regions.

He was emphatic that the EC is just implementing the recommendations of a committee set up by the government on the creation of the new regions.

His comments follow a suit at the Supreme Court against the government and the EC over the proposed creation of new regions.

The plaintiffs Mayor Agblexe, Destiny Awlimey, and Jean-Claude Koku Amenyaoglo have raised concerns about the limitation of voting in the referendum to only registered voters in the areas of the new regions.

The plaintiffs are seeking clarity on whether the referendum for the new regions “must take place in and involve inhabitants of the whole region or alternatively… [whether] every resident of a region that is to be altered is entitled to be registered and allowed to vote in such a referendum in accordance with Article 42 of the Constitution of Ghana, 1992”.

Speaking in an interview with Onua FM’s Yen Sempa on Friday hosted by Bright Kwasi Asempa, Dr. Asare Bossman said “those who have issues with the creation of new regions cannot blame the EC. They should deal with the government and Parliament”.

He explained that “we are an implementing agency so we are implementing the commission of enquiry’s recommendations”.