EC bares teeth at political parties

The Electoral Commission (EC) is considering withdrawing the licenses of all dormant political parties in Ghana ahead of the 2008 general elections.

Joy News can confirm that officials of the EC have been meeting with executives of such political parties. Political parties in the country are by law required to have a national office, offices in all the 10 regions and similar facilities in at least 2/3 of all the 138 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.

But the EC said some political parties including Goosie Tandoh's National Reform Party, Dr Wereko-Brobby's United Ghana Movement and the Ghana Republican Democratic Party have failed to meet the requirement.

The Director of Human Resource of the EC, Mr Samuel Yorke-Aidoo in an interview with Joy News warned the political parties to sit up or face the full rigours of the law.

“Very soon the Commission would come out with a decision and I think that would be enough warning to the political parties. They are aware of what they are expected to do. We believe that if they have any difficulties and they consult the EC, the EC as usual would appreciate them and know how to support them.”

Mr Yorke-Aidoo said the debate on the public funding of political parties at least for the less endowed ones must be re-visited ahead of the 2008 general elections.

“Funding a political party is not easy. It is a difficult enterprise. Probably that is the reason why for sometime the issue of funding political parties has been a major topic. Probably that is the reason why the Electoral Commission has been very liberal.”

The EC would soon embark on a nationwide assessment of all political parties to ascertain their level of compliance with the rules.