Creation of new constituencies for Elections 2012 not automatic – EC

The Electoral Commission (EC), on Monday disclosed that creation of new constituencies for Elections 2012 would not be automatic.

Mr Kwadwo Sarfo Kantanka, Deputy Chairman of EC, at a meeting with a team of Mozambique electoral officials in Accra, said: “We are studying the provisional census figures for the final determination.

“The Commission is yet to take any decision on whether to increase or maintain the existing 230 Constituencies for Elections 2012.”

Ghana’s population in 2010 is 24.23 million, according to provisional census figures released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). The figure is 28 per cent more than 18.9 million recorded in the last census in 2000.

The Commission in 2004 increased the number of Constituencies from 200 to the current 230.

Mr Kantanka said the Commission’s decision would be based on the final census results expected to be released in March 2012 by the Ghana Statistical Service.

“The census figures now are provisional and we cannot take a decision based on it so when the final figures are published, the Commission will look at them and do some analysis to decide what should be done” he explained.

The Mozambique delegation that is lead by Mr Antonio Chipanga include Members of Parliament, Electoral Officials, and democratic stakeholders.

It is in the country to share democratic experiences and learn at first hand operations of Ghana’s EC.

The area of study includes operations of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), Voter registration procedure, electoral administration, legal status of the EC, composition and mandate of Commissioners, and polling day activities.

Others are electoral reforms, relationship between the EC and state agencies, funding of political parties, electoral demarcation, and management of electoral disputes.

Explaining issues to the Mozambique team, Mr Kantanka noted that the E.C, which came into existence in 1993, has been in continuous operation within the period organised four general elections.

It has also conducted numerous by-elections at both national and district levels and undertaken many other important election related exercises especially, at the level of the general elections, where its greatest challenge comes from the highly competitive nature of these elections.

Mr Kantanka said the Commission has exhibited great capacity and recorded high level of success adding “this has been possible because of effective leadership at its highest level, the dedication and commitment of its staff, and the cooperation of its stakeholders”.

Mr Chipanga on behalf of the team commended Ghana’s multi-party democracy and the resilient of the electoral system.

Source: GNA