The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs Jean Mensa, must not erase all the successes she inherited at the Commission from her predecessors, a former Member of Parliament for Madina, Mr Amadu Sorogo, has said.
Mr Sorogo explained that although the EC is independent, it must take into account concerns expressed by political parties on its decisions, especially on the plan to compile a new register of voters because the election management body will not have any work to do if the parties are not in existence.
The ex-lawmaker’s comments follow remarks by the EC that no individual or authority can direct or control it as far as carrying out its constitutional mandate is concerned.
In a statement bearing the signature of its Acting Director of Public Affairs, Mrs Sylvia Annor, the EC said it has “noted, with grave concern, comments made by Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu during a press conference held on 7 May 2020 that sought to attack the integrity and mandate of the Electoral Commission as well as the creation of an erroneous impression in the minds of the general public on its attitude as far as the COVID-19 pandemic is concerned”.
Among other things, Mr Iddrisu told the media that EC Chair Jean Mensa, “sometimes, also comes to us as if she is running an NGO”, adding: “Let her be reminded that she is running the Electoral Commission of Ghana – a state institution expected to be independent”.
He also said: “The Constitution provides for a terminal end of the mandate of the President and Members of Parliament after every four years and presidential and parliamentary elections ought to be conducted and conducted by the availability and presence of a credible voter register, which is the responsibility of that Commission. No excuse will be accepted.”
“The fact that it is not ready means somebody is incompetent or somebody is not up to the particular task,” Mr Iddrisu added.
Speaking on the Ghana Yensom show on Accra100.5FM on Tuesday, 12 May 2020, Mr Sorogo said: “Even though the EC is independent, it works for Ghanaians and, so, their indolence should not make them dictators.”
“The EC should know that without political parties, they will not have any work to do and, so, the chairperson should not be a dictator”.
“Jean Mensa has to build on the successes of her two predecessors and not to destroy it.”
Mr Sorogo further wondered why the EC will change a voter register that is faultless ahead of the December polls at a time the country is facing the coronavirus.
“Why change a register that has no problem, a register that was used for a successful District Assembly election?”
Source: class fm
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
Why is the NDC desperately kicking against a new register? Is this the first time a new register is to be compiled? Will the existing register be used forever? The NDC wants to dictate to the EC and they have rather turned round to tag the EC because their manipulation was refused
What is the meaning of dictator sorogo? The meankng of dictator to the ndc is not doing the will of the ndc which sill never happen again in Ghana. Who was more dictator than your Charlotte Osei? Do you want Lady Jean to go against the constitution of Ghana and take ndc way? Is ndc for Ghana for her to listen to them? Come on! From 2017-2020 ndc has not been able to tell Ghanaians what they will do differently if really it is a Ghanaian political party all we hear is 3ny3 yie, it can happen, it is impossible negativity, negativity and who will take such people serious? Politics is about development, prosperity and progress not green book. A party in opposition for 3 and half yeads sith no plans, no policy, no program and no vision only negative criticism with no solution and who will waste time on such people whose aim is to get power to intimidate, create, loot and share! Lady Jean is a true and authdntic daughter of Ghana who think of her country and God and no other group of people or party. A political party can die but Ghana remains forever and ever get your st*upid ndc mentality from her for she is thinking of her country not a party and will do what the constitution of her land allow her to do she will never listen to the frustration and desperation of the ndc but what is good for her country. Ghanaians are asking for a new register and the constotutiin allow her to make a new register and that is what she will do "PERIOD" ndc can GO TO HELL and TO HELL WITH NDC !