2016 National Elections Steering Committee inaugurated

A ten-member National Election Steering Committee to ensure a smooth and peaceful 2016 elections has been inaugurated in Accra.

Besides the ten members, the seven Commissioners are also members with Mrs Charlotte Osei, the Electoral Commissioner, being the Chairperson of the Committee, while the Director of Elections will serve as a secretary to the Committee.

The Committee is to share ideas and harmonize activities of the Commission to ensure that there is adequate security before, during and after the 2016 election.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Mrs Osei said the 1992 Constitution mandated the Commission to carry election campaigns and conduct of elections in Ghana, which the Commission has been doing ever since, and experience has taught them that without planning, they could not deliver on their mandate, hence the formation of the Committee to ensure a smooth and peaceful elections.

She said considering the huge number of polling stations, collation centres and thousands of security personnel that will be detailed to ensure security, there is the need for such a body to plan and implement the needed logistics.

“It is therefore important for us to come together and put our resources together, share ideas and experiences to improve on the electoral process in Ghana,” she said adding that the Commission was prepared to work with the Committee to ensure a successful free, fair and peaceful elections.

Major General Nii Carl Coleman (rtd), Chairman of Civic Forum Initiative, said civil society was grateful to the Electoral Commission for the opportunity and pledged that they will make their resources available to ensure a peaceful election.

Institutions represented on the Committee are the National Service Scheme, Ghana Armed Forces, Commission on Human Rights and Justice (CHRAJ), National Commission for Civic Education, National Media Commission, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, and Civic Forum Initiative.

Source: GNA