Veteran journalist, Kwesi Pratt, has expressed fear that the 2020 general election is likely to be characterized by violence, if stringent steps are not taken to ‘sanitize the Electoral Commission”.
He says the conduct of the 2020 elections could have significant consequences for the democratic trajectory of the country if characters like Dr Eric Bossman Asare remain in office.
The Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper said this on Metro TV on Wednesday while commenting on Dr Bossman Asare’s recent call for a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum.
The Deputy Electoral Commissioner’s call for a ‘Yes’ vote has attracted widespread criticism from political watchers and opposition politicians.
Kwesi Pratt emphasized that Ghana was at a threshold of monumental disaster if drastic measures were not taken to check EC officials who publicly misconduct themselves.
He said the country is heading for doom if it fails in its continued fight against dubious persons who occupy sensitive positions at public institutions.
“I am scandalized by his conduct. Is this the EC that is going to conduct the 2020 elections? What confidence do I have participating in this election when I know that its vice chairman has a position?
“I am shocked by his conduct and this is not the type of electoral commission we want in this country,” Mr Kwesi Pratt stressed.
Next month’s referendum is to enable citizens to vote on the proposed amendment of Article 55 (3) of the 1992 Constitution that bars political parties from participating in District Level Elections.
Article 55 (3) which is an entrenched position states that: “…Subject to the provisions of this Article, a political party is free to participate in shaping the political will of the people, to disseminate information on political ideas, social and economic programmes of a national character, and sponsor candidates for elections to any public office other than to District Assemblies or lower local government units”.
The provision can only be amended through a referendum which per Article 290(4) of the 1992 constitution, can be approved when at least 40% of persons entitled to vote, vote at the referendum and at least 75% of the persons who vote cast their votes in favour of passing the bill.
If carried, the proposed amendment will introduce multi-party participation in the local government system in Ghana.
Source: ghanaweb.com
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Referendum is not in any political party colours.What is so scandilous about an EC Official asking people to vote YES? The President is calling for a YES vote.What will that also lead to? Referendum is not party politics period.
Massa ma yen asowa nko edzidzi ai. what is so extra-ordinary different from previous pronouncements which didn't send us to doom but will now? gyae ntowatowa no
this Bossman Asare, has he been to school before? if he does not understand his job and how sensitive it is,all he needs to do is ask.The position he has taken in the referendum is irresponsible!!! The EC chairperson is there grinning from ear to ear,she has no idea what she is doing!!
Kwasi Pratt the ***barred word*** who will jeopardize his own party for the sake of NDC and JOhn Mahama. Nothing will happen during 2020 elections and I suggest that Kwasi Pratt is invited by BNI should he continue to make such divisive comments.
All the commentators on this important issue Mr Prat has raised all you these foolsoldiers of NPP conveniently avoided the issue Pratt raised. You people think if something would happen it would be through Pratt's submissions. Fortunately, for those of you who are doing the commentary non of you live in Ghana. Why should an official not an ordinary lower staff person but a higher senior person at the commission will be campaigning for the government but as far as you people are concerned that is fine for him to do. What has happened to the principle or policy of staff of the Commission are to be neutral?
nothing will happen ok, Ghana is the only country we have
Kwasi Pratt, for someone your age, your continued hyperbolic tantrums are nauseatng, why do our namby-pamby radio stations keep giving you the mike to try and poison the atmosphere. nothing bad happens according to you under NDC, come the NPP and to you all hell has broken loose. Come on grow up.
"threshold of monumental disaster" say K Pratt. Vs. If I say "yes" = dubious persons. And Kwasi always get the microphone at the radio station.
That is what you do to insight people to take the law into their own hands.In as much as am expecting him to be quiet on some issues you dont have to speak that way. You are for NDC and Kweku Baako is for Npp.
You always praying for doom when things are not ur way, thank God u live in Ghana urself. Doom will visit u first.