EC should engage auditors to review results before announcement — Care

Care Ghana, a non-governmental organization, has proposed to the Electoral Commission (EC) to engage an international audit firm to independently review the election results before announcement.

The organisation said using an internationally recognised institution for results audit would reduce anomalies that were recorded during counting and collation of results.

Mr David Kumi Addo, Executive Director of Care Ghana, made the proposal in a telephone interview with the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday.

He suggested to the Commission to consider employing only science and mathematics teachers as presiding officers to ensure accuracy of results.

Mr Addo noted that part of its electoral reforms must include reviewing of clauses in the Constitutional Instrument to add other national Identification cards for registration to avoid the exclusion of some citizens.

He said the move would enhance the quality of elections, make the EC more accountable, transparent and neutral to produce credible elections.

“It will make the election management body capable of restoring public trust and confidence in the commission. That in our estimation, will if not eradicate, reduce the violence and deaths experienced in our elections.

Mr Addo stated although the EC was not directly responsible for ensuring the security at polls, it should deepen its relationship with the security agencies to ensure stricter enforcement during elections.

“The practice is that the Electoral Commission engages the Police High Command to provide security during elections. The EC can therefore not extricate itself from violence that affects elections,” he said.

“The EC must understand that citizens' right to vote includes the right to vote in an atmosphere devoid of violence”.

Mr Addo also urged the EC to institute a committee that would deal with post electoral issues, noting that the decision by the EC to close their offices after elections was not right.

---GNA