A group calling itself The Good Governance Advocacy Group Ghana (GGAGG) has reacted to pro-opposition pressure group, Let My Vote Count Alliance (LMVCA) statement that it would intensify pressure on the Electoral Commission to clean up the voters’ register ahead of the 2016 polls in November.
The group (LMVCA) said we are "demanding from the EC a clear timetable for validation to clean up the register and this must be made known to the public within a week from today, failing which we will mobilise the youth of this country to stage a massive demonstration against the Commission."
The statement added "Let it be reiterated, the Let My Vote Count Alliance is giving the EC a one-week ultimatum to tell the people of Ghana when and how it will conduct the validation exercise to deliver a credible register to the citizens."
In a retort, the GGAGG has also stated in a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Listowell Nana Kusi-Poku.
According to the group, LMVCA - “is a bane to the advancement of our democracy. The group does not have any idea as to what the law is.”
Read blow GGAGG’s statement…
The Good Governance Advocacy Group Ghana (GGAGG) writes with the intense annoyance after reading an irresponsible statement that was put in the media by a group calling itself LET MY VOTE COUNT ALLIANCE (LMVCA) that craves to give directives to the incredibly proficient COMMISSIONERS of our noble and effective Electoral Commission of Ghana. This Mephistophelian act is a bane to the advancement of our democracy.
It is exceedingly noticeable from all indications that the LET MY VOTE COUNT ALLIANCE (LMVCA) in recent communiqué on electoral matters seems not to know anything as far as elections are concerned. It is also evident that the group does not have any idea as to what the law i.e. the constitution of Ghana states about the ELECTORAL COMMISSION hence our desire to point out, as a reminder to them, some dictates of the Electoral Commission Act, 1993 (Act 451).
•The section three (3) of the Electoral Commission Act, 1993 (Act 451) that talks about the INDEPENDENCE OF THE COMMISSION unambiguously states “Except as provided in the Constitution or in any other law not inconsistent with the Constitution, in the performance of its functions, the Electoral Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority.”
Despite the aforementioned the framers of the constitution in their WISDOM gave the commission some form of option to be able to create a committee to help in the discharge of the COMMISSION’s functions.
•The section 7 of the Electoral Commission Act, 1993 (Act 451) states that “(1) The Commission may appoint such committees, as it considers necessary for the discharge of its functions. (2) A committee appointed by the Commission may include non-members of the Commission but shall be chaired by a member of the Commission.”
The ELECTORAL COMMISSION in respect of the constitution has set up a committee of the commission called the INTER PARTY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (IPAC) whose main duty is to counsel the commission on the fulfillment of its functions as prescribed in the section 2 of this Act. It is worth mentioning that even this Committee has no legal right to direct the Commission as far as its functions are concerned let alone to obstruct its job.
The Good Governance Advocacy Group Ghana (GGAGG) wishes to categorically state that the Mephistophelian act by the LET MY Vote count alliance (LMVCA) is frowned upon by the Electoral Commission Act, 1993 (Act 451).
•The section 13 of the Electoral Commission Act, 1993 (Act 451) which talks about Offence unequivocally affirmed that “Any person who willfully obstructs the Commission or otherwise interferes with the Commission in the discharge of its functions under this Act commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ¢500,000.00 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months or both.”
We are on this note sending a strong warning to the LET MY VOTE COUNT ALLIANCE (LMVCA) to desist from their diabolical mischief to obstruct the commission from doing its independent work since the electoral commission does not work on any person or group of person’s directives or dictates.
We wish to encourage the Electoral Commission to also;
•Be FOCUSED on their work to deliver free, fair and transparent elections and not allow any lawless groups such as LMVCA to unlawfully dictate to them.
•Be DEPENDABLE with their own laws as put in Electoral Commission Act, 1993 (Act 451) especially in the section 3 of this Act.
The Good Governance Advocacy Group Ghana (GGAGG) is looking forward to seeing a peaceful and successful election this year.
LONG LIVE GHANA!! LONG LIVE OUR DEMOCRACY!!!
LISTOWELL NANA KUSI-POKU
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
GOOD GOVERNANCE ADVOCACY GROUP GHANA (GGAGG)
Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/ Twitter: @Washman5/ Instagram: Washman007
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