The 10- member committee set up to review the electoral reform proposals made by some individuals, stakeholders, and civil society groups yesterday presented a 45- page draft report to the Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC) Dr. Kwadwo Afari Djan.
Presenting the report to the Dr. Afari Djan on behalf of the Reforms Committee, the Chairperson of the Committee, Ms. Georgina Opoku gave a background to the terms of reference of the Committee’s work and the planned duration for execution of task.
Ms.Opoku said, the Committee’s work was categorized into three main broad areas for consideration namely; Pre-elections, During Elections and Post Elections over a three month period. She said other flagging issues like over voting and the no verification no vote mantra which was not really part of their terms of reference was also considered and dealt with as captured in the draft report.
The 45-page report which was derived from all the various proposals made by political parties, some organizations and civil society groups was captured under seven main chapters namely: background, terms of reference, methodology, pre-election, election, post election, and conclusion was duly handed over to the Chairman of EC, Dr. Afari Djan.
Dr. Afari Djan upon receipt of the report expressed his appreciation for the Committee’s ability to complete work on the three month period within which they had to work and also thanked the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), for their support on behalf of the Committee for sponsoring some of the Committee’s sittings and also providing them with resource persons.
He said he was also happy that some of the recommendations of the Supreme Court were carefully considered and the EC is earnestly going to begin work on the report but was quick to add, that it normally takes a long time to go through the process especially the one that may need legal backing from the legislature.
The EC Chairman also mentioned that he was about to leave on retirement but since the EC had a continues life he would ensure that a lot of work was done on the report ahead of the 2016 elections before his successor takes over.
The Electoral Reforms Committee had Kwabena Agyapong of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Asiedu Nketia, James Kwabena Bomfeh of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and Anim Kofi Addo of the Yes People’s Party (YPP), as members.
It also had Christian Owusu Parry of the EC, Rebecca Kabuki, Kwesi Jonah, of the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), Dr. Ransford Gyampoh of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and Dr Franklin Oduro, of the Center for Democratic Development (CDD).
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