[ 2014-08-29 ]

Recalcitrant EC failing to carry out electoral reforms - Addison
Lawyer for three petitioners who challenged the
outcome of the 2012 presidential election has
censured the Electoral Commission for failing to
implement reforms proposed by political parties
after the Supreme Court hearing a year ago.

During the petition hearing, the Presiding Judge,
William Atuguba, noted that the “petition
exposed the need for certain electoral reforms”,
although no specific reforms were put forward.

However, after the ruling by the Supreme Court the
EC called on political parties to submit proposals
for reforms of the electoral process.

But various institutions and political
commentators have accused the EC of not taking
steps to implement the collective suggestions made
by the political parties for reforms.

Mr Addison said the EC's attitude is
disrespectful.

“One year down the line we are still where we
started from. We have the same team there being as
recalcitrant as ever. Afari Gyan [EC Chairman]
does not listen to anybody”, he observed.

Today August 29, 2014 is exactly a year when the
Supreme Court ruled on 8-month long 2012 Election
Petition landmark case.

“This is the same man we took to court, the
court has made recommendations and nothing has
been done about it and he is there”, Mr Addison
lamented.

He said if it must always take the court to force
the EC to do the obvious, “then there must be
something wrong”.

“If a public institution should always have to
be compelled by a court to do what everybody knows
is the right thing, then there is something wrong
somewhere”, he reiterated.

Recently, the EC was barred by the Supreme Court
from using National Health Identification cards
for voter registration, a situation Mr Addison
says goes to show that the only language the
Chairman of the EC understands is court order.

Source - MyjoyOnline

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