Election Watch Ghana says the Electoral Commission (EC) is compromised ahead of the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.
The Civil Society Organisation says the EC has always been influenced by the Executive, and it has only benefited the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
A leading member of the group, Mark Ewusi Arkoh, questioned why we can’t have an independent EC that will organize free, fair, credible, and transparent elections without any interference from the Executive.
“Why can’t we get an EC that is so independent to organize its activities without any interference from the Executive? Why should we have a situation where the Executive has to control the EC before they conduct their work?”
He opined that there are clear justifications under this NPP administration that affirm that the current EC has been compromised.
“There are clear examples of these genuine concerns we have raised. When the President has appointed party members to work at the EC, do you expect the opposition political parties to be happy with that or accept what they (EC) do?”
He noted that President Akufo-Addo’s appointment of Dr. Peter Appiahene and Francis Bossman to the EC was terrible and had a political influence on the activities of the electoral body.
He argued that Dr. Appiahene is a known communicator and member of the NPP in the Bono Region and should not have been appointed to such an institution.
He said Mr. Bossman is also a known TESCON patron, politically tainted, and should not have been appointed to work at the EC.
Speaking in an interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he stated that persons appointed to the EC should have no political affiliation or be members of any political party.
He said Ghanaians are concerned about these things because they prevent the EC from working independently.
“There are laws about how these appointments ought to be done. To appoint people to work at the EC, those appointed should have no affiliation with any political party. But in our case, Francis Bossman and Dr. Appiahene are known NPP members. That is what we are talking about. Do you think when the President is appointing his party members to the EC, the opposition parties will keep quiet? Irrespective of the political party in power, the EC should have the independence to work and that is what Election Ghana is seeking to achieve.”
Mark Ewusi Arkoh remarked, “We cannot do that. So, let us ensure that we enforce the provisions stated in the 1992 constitution. Only then can we proudly proclaim that the EC is currently an independent body or trustworthy institution capable of working transparently. If not, we’ll continue to question their credibility.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
