EC Gives Parties September 8 To Submit List Of Reps On Election Reforms Committee

The Electoral Commission says political parties have up to September 8, 2014 to submit representatives on the Electoral Reforms Committee.

The setting up of the committee is in line with recommendations by the Supreme Court which exactly a year ago, brought closure to the eight-month hearing of the petition challenging the EC’s declaration of John Mahama as winner of the December 7, 2012 presidential election.

However, Public Relations Officer at the Electoral Commission, Owusu Parry told Adom News Friday that his outfit is yet to receive the list of agents from the political parties.

According to Mr. Owusu Parry, the committee, which is expected to be inaugurated after September 8, will be tasked to review the recommendations and submit its report which will be used as a guide for the 2016 elections.

Each of the registered political parties is expected to present four representatives, while the Electoral Commission and Civil Society groups will have two representatives each.

The Electoral Commission has been criticized for failing to lead reforms in the electoral process as recommended by some Justices of the Supreme Court.

The reforms were suggested after three petitioners in the opposition New Patriotic Party challenged the declaration of John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress as winner of the 2012 presidential elections.

The three are the party’s 2012 presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo; his running mate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and then party chairman, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, had prayed the Court to annul the election results which they claimed was fraught with irregularities.

The entire nation came to a standstill on August 29, 2013 earnestly expecting to hear the decision of the nine-member panel of judges who heard the case, led by Justice William Atuguba.

The judges ruled by 5:4 to uphold the Electoral Commission’s declaration of president John Mahama as winner of the December 7, election on the ticket of the governing National Democratic Congress.

Source: Adome Fm