General News of Saturday, 20 February 2016

Source: starrfmonline.com

Election steering committee not suspended - EC

Christian Owusu Parry Christian Owusu Parry

The Electoral Commission has described as "erroneous" reports that the election steering committee has been suspended.

A statement signed by Director of Public Relations at the Electoral Commission, Christian Owusu Parry stated that “the Commission wishes to inform the public that the reports are erroneous and should be disregarded.

The statement further added “At the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting, held yesterday, 19th February, 2016 the Commission assured the stakeholders, after persistent calls for the Commission to reconsider the setting up of the Committee that it would meet and discuss the concerns raised and inform IPAC of its decision later.

“This should not be misconstrued as a suspension of the Committee. The Committee remains in place until a contrary decision is made.

“The Commission wishes to appeal to the Committee members to stay focused as it takes the necessary steps to address the concerns raised.”

The committee, which was inaugurated this month was expected to coordinate the activities of the various stakeholders within the electoral process to ensure successful elections.

But the committee has been hit by allegations that it comprised of card holding members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), prompting the withdrawal of Dr Karl Mark Arhin, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Service Scheme.

A political pressure group, the Let My Vote Count Alliance (LMVCA), called on the EC to disband the committee entirely, but the commission stated Thursday that it was not considering that option.