Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice under the Mills-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, Martin A.B.K. Amidu, has finally joined the campaign for a change of government.
Looking at the performance of President Mahama’s government, he said, “We need to put Ghana first and work tirelessly for change of governance at this year’s presidential election.”
In a statement issued Monday in which he sought to expose what he thought to be tricks being employed by the Electoral Commission (EC) to rig the upcoming general election slated for December 7, Mr Amidu, who prides himself as Citizen Vigilante, raised concerns about the attitude of the Chairperson of the elections organizing body, Charlotte Osei.
Even though he claims, “It is too late in the month to advocate in defence of the Constitution for a reorganization of the commission before the elections, or for the impeachment of the Commissioner,” he insisted, “This should be the task immediately after the 2016 elections – conducted by responsible members of the media, civil society and civil society organizations who love the Republic of Ghana’s constitutional and democratic dispensation of free, fair and transparent political representation for elections and referenda.”
Before then, the former Attorney General advised, “Let us watch the rigging agenda of the Commissioner and her mentors during the remaining election period.”
He believes “she has already engineered the elections in such a way that a good six weeks have been lost for the campaign period of the NDP, PPP and the PNC.”
That is in view of the initial disqualification of the presidential candidates of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Progressive People’s Party (PPP) and the People’s National Convention (PNC) from contesting the upcoming elections on their party’s tickets until a Supreme Court ruling – which went in their favour and were added on the ballot papers.
Mr Amidu said in the remaining period before the impeachment process, there’s the need for the political parties to remain vigilant and follow every step of the Electoral Commissioner and her mentors.
“Fellow citizens, be alert to the Commissioner’s other tricks. The Commissioner cannot be trusted to fairly implement her mandate under the 1992 Constitution without vigilance on our part. We must defend the Constitution!” he charged.
According to Mr. Amidu, it is wrong for political parties properly registered, to be denied by the EC from taking part in the elections and said that had been done because “the Commissioner, in pursuit of her rigging agenda on behalf of her mentors, will not engage in alternative dispute resolution.”
He said however, that “The eyes of every citizen have been opened to the arbitrary conduct and impunity exhibited by the Commissioner,” adding, “And now particularly the political parties are fully aware as to how the power of the Commissioner can be wantonly abused.”
Mr Amidu is convinced, “The Commissioner cannot be trusted to fairly implement her mandate under the 1992 Constitution without vigilance on our part. We must defend the Constitution!”
Touching on what he described as “her arbitrary, unfair and lack of transparent approval process,” the Citizen Vigilante said, “The Commissioner knew that once she met the timetable laid down by the Supreme Court ruling of 7th November, 2016 and of the balloting for the presidential polls on 10th November 2016, the eight disqualified candidates would have no hearing at the Supreme Court for interpretation, nor would they have the ability to mount a new action in any other court. Power!”
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