NDC Calls For New Electoral Timetable

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) group in Parliament has called on the House to examine the electoral timetable in a non-partisan spirit to ensure adequate period for a smooth and organised transition in future.

Any new electoral calendar, the group said, must take cognisance of the possibility of one or more Presidential run-offs.

In a statement signed by the NDC Parliamentary spokesman for Communication, Mr John D. Mahama, the party said the limited time frame for the transition was a contributory factor to the haste in which public officials who were offered the option to buy their saloon cars made the transfers.

This haste, the statement said created the erroneous impression of an illegal transfer of government vehicles with private names.

It explained that the cars were sold to outgoing Ministers as part of ex-gratia benefits in line with established conventions and practices, which allow departing senior public servants the option to purchase their official cars on concessional terms.

The statement noted that the prices at which such vehicles are sold are based on concessional terms, which are generally lower than the open market prices.

Similar concessionary rates are applied in the disposal of vehicles confiscated by CEPS, which a number of people have benefited from, it said.

"The prices at which vehicles were sold to outgoing members of the government were therefore in conformity with the existing policy", the statement explained.

It expressed regret that the decision, among others, has received mixed reaction from the public.

This, the statement said, has precipitated the decision by some members of the past government to return the vehicles allocated to them to the office of the Chief of Staff.

The reaction, it said, arises out of a general misunderstanding of the existing rules, regulations and practices governing the issue.