You are here: HomeOpinionsArticles2017 12 14Article 609807

Politics of Thursday, 14 December 2017

Source: atinkaonline.com

Ghana not safe under Charlotte Osei and her two deputies – PNC warns

Chairperson of the EC, Charlotte Osei Chairperson of the EC, Charlotte Osei

The People’s National Convention(PNC) has warned that the top three Electoral Commissioners cannot be trusted ahead of the 2020 elections.

EC boss, Charlotte Osei and her two deputies; Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku Amankwa are being investigated by a five-member committee set up by Chief Justice after various petitions were filed against their conduct at the Commission.

Madam Osei has accused her deputies of engaging in several corrupt deals. The two, on the other hand, have accused their boss of abuse of office and conflict of interest.

However, the PNC believes the posturing of the three commissioners could undermine future elections in Ghana and must therefore step aside.

“The electoral commission is the only key and sensitive institutions of state mandated by law to conduct free, fair, peaceful and transparent elections and the citizens expect nothing less, we are therefore not safe if the EC commissioners themselves are not in working harmony and in peace and also lack transparency amongst themselves at the commission,” the PNC said in a statement signed by the National Treasurer, Akane Mohammed.

Below is the full statement:


WE CAN'T TRUST EC COMMISSIONERS AHEAD OF 2020 POLLS.


The conduct, posture and relationship amongst the EC commissioners and towards political parties prior to and after the 2016 elections could be liking to that of an Iraq – Iran war or better still the recent tension between America and North Korea. The electoral commission is the only key and sensitive institutions of state mandated by law to conduct free, fair, peaceful and transparent elections and the citizens expect nothing less, we are therefore not safe if the EC commissioners themselves are not in working harmony and in peace and also lack transparency amongst themselves at the commission.

The decision to increase filling fees over 100% in the 2016 elections was a rubber stamp, autocratic and arrogant posture by the EC against the collective objectives of IPAC to allow a level play ground for all political parties prior to the 2016 polls. The public pronouncement to disqualify the nominations of some selected political parties even before nominations were opened prior to the 2016 elections was very immoral and unofficial on the part of the EC Chair. The public acrimony, fights, accusations and insults against each other by the EC commissioners just after the 2016 polls should be enough for an impeachment! Indeed, if impeachment is too strong in our ears, then we kindly, humbly and respectfully ask the EC Chair and her deputies to step aside to avert an impeachment!

Akane Adams, PNC NATIONAL TREASURER.