EC Likely To Implement Some Electoral Reforms

The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has received a report by the Electoral Reform Committee set up by the Commission upon the advice of the Supreme Court to look into events that led to the 2012 Presidential election petition case.

The Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan expressed his commitment to implement some of the electoral reforms before election 2016 while his successor considered the other proposals.

Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, who is retiring in the next few months, added that the Committee which is constituted by representatives of all political parties has a continuous life cycle and therefore, the reforms require long processes, but he will do his best to implement some of the proposals before he leaves.

Afari Gyan said at a news conference that the report which is yet to be reviewed by the Commission covers the entire electoral cycles-before, during and after elections.

He declined making any comments on any item or refused to disclose any of the proposals presented to the commission.

He also reserved his comments regarding which sector of the electoral system he will tackle first following the recommendations of the Supreme Court.

“The report has not been finalized or finished therefore, copies cannot be distributed,” he stated.

Meanwhile, he assured that the Commission will reason on what the committee has proposed and will come out with best strategies towards the electoral reforms.

Mrs. Georgina Opokua Amankwah, Chairperson of the Electoral Committee explained that after the 2012 elections, the EC made appraisals and proposals wayforward to enhancing Ghana’s electoral system.

She intimated that following the 2012 Supreme Court election petition case, judges made some recommendations as a result of issues regarding the 2012 elections.

She said the political rivals, shockingly to her, as it were, collaborated with each other in the three months period to put together the report.