Demonstrations Against EC Will Not Affect Our Democratic Credentials - CODEO Replies Mahama

EC Boss, Madam Charlotte Osei Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) in a response to President Mahama’s appeal to political parties to give the Electoral Commission (EC) the peace to do its work has urged the commission to carry Ghanaians along with its activities to ‘kill’ any doubt. According to the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers, the urgency with which the Electoral Commission explains its activities to Ghanaians will ward-off doubtful minds and make its programs a success without heckling from political parties and pressure groups. President John Dramani Mahama has appealed to political parties to give the Electoral Commission (EC) the peace to do its work. He said demonstrations against the EC could negatively affect the country’s democratic credentials and so any party with concerns over the electoral process must use the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) for redress. President Mahama made the call when he joined Tijaniyya Muslims in Ghana and others from some parts of West Africa to observe Mawlid, the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed. Commenting on President Mahama’s appeal, National Coordinator for CODEO, Albert Arhin on Okay FM’s 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show agreed to the fact that the EC should be an independent body without pressure from the citizens, but added that sometimes a little pressure helps to make the activities of the EC successful. He added that whenever the Electoral Commission (EC) refuses to explain issues to Ghanaians, its activities give room for doubts and anxiety in Ghanaians, bringing about the troubles and the numerous demonstrations. He thus stressed that the political parties can discuss the voters register at the IPAC meeting but reiterated it should not stop the EC from assuring Ghanaians the transparency in their activities. “I don’t think the political parties cannot discuss this at IPAC meeting; EC should make the Ghanaian public to understand that they can be trusted because it is important. The IPAC meeting may not get to Ghanaians because it is not all their meetings which are captured by the media,” he stated. “Whenever people don’t understand something, the EC must quickly explain to their understanding. When you do this, you carry them along with you and make everything transparent,” he added. He however did not see how demonstrating against the activities of the Electoral Commission will negatively affect the country’s democratic credentials.

Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com.gh/E-mail: bigdallas1985@gmail.com

EC Rubbishes Calls To Dissolve 18-Member Steering Committee

EC Boss, Mrs Charlotte Osei The Electoral Commission has replied members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), individuals, groups and political parties who are demanding dissolution of the newly inaugurated National Election Steering Committee because of its biased composition. The Commission says the mere fact that there are concerns with one or two persons on the committee, does not mean the entire committee is compromised. The committee inaugurated last week is described by the EC as a move to ensure credible elections and is chaired by the EC Boss, Mrs Charlotte Osei . Speaking to Joy News, the Director of Public Affairs at the Electoral Commission, Christian Owusu Parry, said they believe the various institutions which were written to nominate representatives, are capable of executing the mandate of the steering committee. “We would not dissolve the 18-member steering committee,” he said.  Mr. Christian Owusu Parry in an interview answered the following questions. Why were the political parties not informed on the committee in question? A lot of things are done administratively, so if there is an administrative decision that has to be made by the commission, I do not think that such administrative decisions have to always get to the various political parties, to say whether they agree or not, because this is an administrative decision that the constitution empowers the commission to do alone. So you think this is not an important issue that needs to involve political parties? We would consult the political parties on all key issues but it is not all decisions that the commission would consult political parties for their approval, because we need to be given the freedom to work as an election management body. Why do we have names of members from some political parties being part of the committee? The selection was purely done by the institutions we sent the letters to. Therefore, EC knows nothing about the selection and did not investigate the names sent to us because we believed the institutions would do the necessary checks before sending individuals to the commission. Do you think the existence of the committee is necessary? The existence of the committee is necessary especially with the persons involved from the various elected sectors to form the committee, because it would fasten idea generation and plans put in place for the coming elections. Also if immediate information is needed by the commission all it needs to do is to contact directly the person in the committee than going through the long chain of command from the various sectors.

Source: Elizabeth Semiheva/Peacefmonline.com

Don't Toy With Our Peace – DI Warns EC

Policy think tank Danquah Institute (DI) has asked the Electoral Commission not to go ahead with its planned limited registration of fresh voters ahead of the November polls until it has implemented a validation exercise recommended by the Panel of five eminent members. Executive Director of DI Nana Attobrah Quaicoe told journalists at a press conference in Accra on Monday February 1 that the validation process will ensure that close to 600,000 names of dead people are removed from the 2012 register of voters. “Ladies and gentlemen of the media, now, how come this most sensible and cost-effective proposal from the Panel of experts is being totally ignored by the EC? We say it is being totally ignored because the EC has already given a date for the limited registration, which is from March 21 to April 4, and that exercise has nothing to do with validation, as currently planned. “In our view, the period for limited registration is perfect for validation as well,” Mr Quaicoe said, adding: “The Danquah Institute, by this news conference, is asking the EC to postpone the date for the limited registration for another month or so, consider the proposal from the Panel and work towards incorporating validation with the limited registration exercise.” “This would only mean that those who turn up for validation would have to join one queue and those who show up for new registration, as first time voters, would also have their own queue since their exercise would require the filling of forms, and having their fingerprints and photographs taken and a new card issued. “By this, the exhibition exercise, which will take place a couple of months after, will be done for the complete register of those who were validated and those who registered anew. “Indeed, the EC can go as far as even presenting fresh laminated cards for those who will go through validation during the validation/limited registration exercise. We estimate that this whole exercise of validation, even if it involves the issuance of a new laminated voter ID card, should not cost the state more than an additional $15 million. But, we also know that it would, once and for all, answer all the main issues that those calling for a new credible register have raised. The benefit is that we will go into this year’s elections with our nation at peace with itself,” Mr Quaicoe added.

Source: classfmonline.com

In 295 Days Nana Addo Will Be Declared Prez...Bawumia Declares

The Running mate to the New Patriotic Party flagbearer for the 2016 general elections, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has declared that the party's flagbearer, Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo will be elected president of the Republic in just about 295 days. "Judging from the people present here and their commitment, i am left with no doubt that the new Patriotic Party will assume power in the upcoming general elections," Dr Bawumia said. Speaking at the fund raising ceremony of the Ashanti Regional Branch of the New Patriotic Party at the Baba Yara stadium, he reiterated that the Mahama-led NDC administration has failed to make life comfortable for Ghanaians and judging from the way things are going, there is no hope for the people of this country. However, he said, "when the New Patriotic Party assumes power come 2016, we will restore hope to the people of Ghana and also clean up the mess the NDC government has created. "In this regard, I entreat all Ghanaians to vote massive for the New Patriotic Party during the elections," he added. The ceremony which started very late saw quite a number of party faithfuls in attendance. Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, Mr.Bernard Antwi Bosiako expressed his appreciation to the National leadership of the party for gracing the occasion and also supporting them to achieve their purpose. Though the number is quite significant, all tickets were sold and that was our core target, he noted. In attendance was the flagbearer of the party, Nana Addo Danquah Akuff- Addo, Acting National Chairman Mr.Freddie Blay, Acting General Secretary who doubles as the National Organizer and Operations Director for the 2016 general elections, Campaign Manager Peter Mac Manu, Minority Leader Hon.Kyei Mensah Bonsu among others.

Source: Isaac Owusu/Hello FM

I Made A Mistake...Multiple Registration In Ashanti Not 200,000 - EC Boss

Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei The Electoral Commission of Ghana has clarified that the number of suspected multiple registrations in the Ashanti region is not 200,000 as earlier stated by the Chairperson of the commission. According to the commission the figure is rather for total registrations for the region in 2014. Mrs. Charlotte Osei has thus corrected the figure for suspected multiple registrations for the Ashanti region as being 14,651. The opposition New Patriotic Party questioned the basis upon on which Mrs. Osei arrived at the earlier figure from the party’s stronghold. Responding to the decision of the EC to maintain the existing electoral roll for the November polls, campaign manager for the NPP, Mark Manu slammed the EC boss for the factual inaccuracies. “She (Charlotte Osei) made the bold statement that the EC has identified in Ashanti region alone, 200,000 names which are on the multiple registration list…this disclosure is again very strange. “The EC in its response to the NPP claimed in page 23 that 150,000 names had been identified as multiples nationwide. How is it possible therefore for the EC to identify as much as 200,000 names in the Ashanti region alone?” He queried. The NPP cited this and a number of other reasons to accuse the EC boss of towing the propaganda line of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC). “The NPP hereby serves notice that, it remains totally dissatisfied with the response from the EC and reiterate its conviction that only a new credible voter’s register will guarantee us free, fair and transparent elections” the former party Chairman added. However, in an earlier interview on Morning Starr with Robert Nii Arday Clegg, the EC boss admitted she mixed up the figures concerning multiple registrations in the Ashanti region. “I made a mistake with the figures and I think it’s really important that we clarify it and we put it on record. With regard to the suspected multiple registrations which are on the exception’s list. “For the Northern region for instance we have…about 83,000 people registered and we have suspected multiples of 8169, Upper West region; 24,000 registered with suspected multiples of 2,279 still in the process of adjudicating. Volta region; 52,000 plus registrations with suspected multiples of 4,000, Western Region; 91,000 registrations, suspected multiples of 7,000 plus. Central Region; 92,000 registrations, with suspected multiples of 5,968. Greater Accra; 162,000 registrations, suspected multiples of 11,555, Upper East region; 35,849 registrations suspected multiples 2977. “Eastern; 93,000 registrations, 5,490 suspected duplicates, Ashanti region; 200,559 registrations not multiples and 14,651 suspected multiples, it’s still the highest but it’s not 200,000. And then Brong Ahafo is 89,000 registrations 6,964 suspected multiples” the EC boss explained. She added, “But again, to be clear the multiple registrations are not in the actual register. They are on an exception’s list and as we adjudicate and take a final decision then they are either deleted totally out or the ones that pass the test of credible, legitimate registrations are now added to the register.”

Source: Starrfm

Mahama will lose 2016 elections- Intelligence Unit.

John Mahama likely to be a one-term president, according to the EIU

Ghana’s major opposition party the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been highly tipped to win next year’s general elections, the latest report of the UK-based Economist Intelligence Unit states.

According to the EIU’s November edition, the elections will be close, but the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) will lose, despite the challenges bedeviling the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition now.

However, the report said the outcome of the elections is by “no means a foregone conclusion”.

It outlined the largest opposition party in Ghana needs to work around the clock to garner votes outside its stronghold while maintaining internal unity.

The EIU cited the politically-motivated murder of the Upper East regional chairman of the NPP Adams Mahama as one of the low points of the party in 2015, but highlighted the party was able to “show a more united front during its subsequent primary elections.”

The report noted the NDC will continue to enjoy strong support in the east and northern sectors of Ghana, owing to historical and tribal allegiances.

It went ahead to state that Greater Accra – a historical swing state – will be a key battle ground, but said the NDC government’s mishandling of the June 3 fire and flood disasters among others and subsequent efforts to avoid a repeat “by clearing slums could well cost its votes.”

The Unit also mentioned some of the indicators pointing to a one-term presidency for John Mahama include the poor handling of the economy, electricity and fuel shortages, high inflation and currency depreciation.

“A growing number of protests against the National Democratic Congress government’s management of the country are expected, particularly, in the capital and economic hub Accra disrupting business operations there,” the Unit predicted.

“These protests are expected to peak in the early part of the forecast period when the economy is at its weakest.”

The report said public anger in extreme cases, can snowball into mass action as seen in a number of Arab countries in recent years and closer to home in Burkina Faso in 2014.


Source: Ghana/starrfmonline.com/103.5FM