Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Prof Ransford Gyampo, has said the Electoral Commission should be shut down and overhauled if need be, as part of measures to sanitise the election management body following allegations and counter-allegations between the EC Chair and her deputies as well as some staff.
According to Prof Gyampo, the recriminations are dampening the confidence the general public has in the EC’s ability to organise free, fair and peaceful elections in the future, therefore, the appropriate authorities must step in to deal with the situation swiftly.
For him, if efforts to broker peace between the officials fail, then the commission must be shut down and restructured having in mind constitutional provisions.
Speaking in an interview with Chief Jerry Forson, host of Ghana Yensom on Accra 100.5FM on Monday July 24, Prof Gyampo said: “Listening to what Mrs Osei has said in response, I get the impression that if care is not taken the Commission will not be able to work again, it cannot work again to deliver credible elections.
“I am not calling for the removal of the EC boss but we need to find ways of dealing with the matter and restore peace at the EC. If that does not work, we can close down the entire commission and restructure it, this may be a radical way to go but I will support it.
“It will be better if we closed it down and then consulted extensively having the constitutional provisions in mind in determining a new crop of experienced workers to conduct elections than this current situation. What they are doing at the moment is weakening public confidence in the EC, they are killing Ghana’s democratic credentials and this can compromise our future peace in future elections, and, so, they should sit up and work together. Let me emphasis, if need be the commission should be shut down.”
Source: classfmonline.com
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Shutting down the EC will not work as it will tantamount to blowing off the smoke without putting the fire off. This multifaceted problem should be tackled head-on. A thorough investigation should be made to ascertain the facts and appropriate sanctions given to the erring parties. Do you mean the corruption allegations and counter accusation should not dealt with? I will rather request for a full scale inquiry headed by a supreme court judge, who should be accorded full powers to make effective and appropriate recommendations to the President. The common practice of sweeping wrong doings under the carpet in Ghana should be stopped. This is a test to the Presidency on his promise to make the law work. Credibility of the EC, the body mandated to oversee the very foundation of democracy (elections), is at stake. It must be noted that no body, group of persons or entity in Ghana is bigger than our new found democracy and so those who have started beating war drums must be very careful as any unguarded statements they make their lives miserable. A word to the wise, they say, is enough.
This shutting down the EC will be the prudent action and re-organize the place all-together. Is better than sacking somebody alone from there. SO THE AUTHORITIES SHOULD CONSIDER SHUTTING THE PLACE DOWN. PERIOD.
WELL SAID PROF
I think Charlotte Osei should not be blamed for now till a thorough investigation has been done. There is more in the Pandora Box than our mines can comprehend. Investigation should go back as far as 2012. I smell serious rot at the Electoral Body looking at the accusations and counter accusations. We should not JUDGE for now till the investigative institutions have concluded and the facts are established.
How can that be that done some "experts" too have some weird ideas papa.
i used to respect Charlotte Osei,. But now, I think she is not someone who society must call a role-model. She is a scandalous disgracce.