[ 2012-09-12 ]

NPP's stance on new constituencies is 'a common sense position'- Sir John
General Secretary of the opposition New Patriotic
Party (NPP), Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie says the
obstinate position of the Electoral Commission
(EC) over the creation of the 45 additional
constituencies three months to an election could
spell doom for the country.

According to him, the NPP's objection to the
proposed 45 constituencies is not out of malice
but rather borne out of “common sense” to
safeguard the peace and unity of Ghana.

“Our [NPP] position is not an entrenched position
but a common sense position and we believe that it
is the approach the EC should adopt” he said.

The NPP scribe was commenting on the controversy
generated by the EC's decision to create 45 new
constituencies on Citi FM Tuesday.

The Constitutional Instrument (CI) creating the 45
new constituencies is in a limbo as Majority and
Minority in Parliament split hairs over its
passage.

Whilst the Minority argued that the timing for the
creation of the new constituencies is
inappropriate; the Majority insists the EC can
accomplish its task provided the CI78 is passed.

However, Sir John maintained that the EC must heed
to the advice of the religious bodies and civil
society groups who have raised concerns about the
creation of the new constituencies and rescind its
decision.

He said even though the EC is mandated by law to
create the constituencies, it should also consider
the repercussion its actions will have on the
country should the CI be passed.

“If the EC says it is its duty to do so, nobody
challenges that but people are talking about
timing and other legal challenges too” he
bemoaned.

Sir John wondered why the EC which is supposed to
be a neutral arbiter in the matter holds the same
position of the ruling party seeking to retain
power in December.

He urged the EC to resist any attempt by the NDC
to act in a manner which would undermine its
integrity to conduct a free and fair election in
December.

Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie observed that time is of
essence therefore even if the CI 78 is passed;
voting in those constituencies should be held in
2016.

“If the EC is adamant and insisting on creating
these constituencies, the best approach is to
allow it to be used for the 2016 elections and not
for the 2012 elections when time is of essence”.

Source - MyjoyOnline

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