Constitution empowers EC to create new electoral areas – Director
The Electoral Commission (EC) on Thursday emphasized that the 1992 constitution empowers it to demarcate and create new electoral areas whenever the need arises.
The Commission also asked Ghanaians to allow it to perform its constitutional mandate without interferences in the supreme interest of the nation.
Mr. Samuel Boadu, Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of the EC stated this when he spoke on the topic, “The role of the EC in ensuring a better election” at a workshop organised for media practitioners and civil society organisations in Sunyani.
It was organised by the African Elections Project (AEP), a Non-Governmental Organisation with support from STAR-Ghana and drawn participants from Ashanti, Upper East, Upper West, Northern and Brong-Ahafo regions.
The workshop was aimed at facilitating an effective and efficient civil society interaction with the ultimate objective of serving citizens better by providing them with an election information resource that will enable them to make informed choices and sensitize them against electoral violence.
Mr. Boadu explained the EC had realized the importance of demarcating new electoral boundaries, a decision which he said had come at the appropriate time to make it easier for conducting the December polls.
He pointed out that, the Commission, had since 1992 remained neutral in conducting all the four major elections, and would not compromise its stand by allowing selfish individuals, groups or political parties to influence it.
“We will continue to work hard to protect our hard won reputation, trust and confidence gained especially in the international community,” he said.
Mr. Boadu emphasized that the decision for the EC to create new constituencies, was for the benefit of all Ghanaians, indicating that all political parties and individuals contesting the general election had a clear chance to win.
He said the fact that the EC was an independent body did not mean it would not consult opinion leaders, civil society organisations and other relevant bodies within the electoral system in the decision making processes.
The Deputy regional director said the doors of the Commission were always open for new ideas, suggestions and contributions that would in one way or the other make the upcoming elections peaceful.
Mr. Boadu gave the assurance that the biometric system of voting had been introduced to eliminate electoral fraud and malpractices and entreated the general public to maintain the trust and confidence they had in the EC.
Source: GNA