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A professor of political science at the University of Ghana, Dr Kwame Asah-Asante, advised the Election Commission (EC) to consider the electoral reform proposal of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The NDC, after a series of consultations, proposed electoral reforms which they say aim to restore the credibility and integrity of Ghana’s electoral process.
However, after delivering the document to the EC headquarters in Accra, the EC asked the opposition party to discuss its proposal before the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC).
Speaking on JoyNews News File On Saturday, Dr Asah-Asante said it is vital to welcome any idea that will improve the electoral process, not necessarily that of a particular group of people.
“They should listen to the NDC. The NDC made this proposal, and it is up to the EC if it really wants reform, to look at it and put it where it wants to put it, ”he said.
“Unless, of course, you want to tell us that it should be from a particular group of people and it should be dropped off at a particular location, then we start looking at it, otherwise we’re not receptive.” knowledge and reforms. ,” he added.
He asked if the EC would have accepted the proposal whether it came from a different group other than a non-member of IPAC or not.
“This argument cannot be supported,” he noted.
The NDC party, in its proposal, outlined 34 electoral reforms after earlier boycotting the electoral commission-led efforts towards reforms.
Therefore, the speaker suggested that the Commission invite others to help assess the proposal and discuss it, not necessarily the IPAC, as he believes there are bright spots in the NDC proposal.
“You can even invite other people to come watch it and see if we can figure that out.
“Let us remember that some of the things they [the NDC] depositing, as I said before, are things that already exist and, they are very good that will help the electoral process, ”he noted.
“So I think it’s appropriate for the EC to look at this and handle it the way it should be managed, not necessarily until it’s tabled with IPAC before you can review it, so you are not ready to do it. accept some of these proposals, ”he stressed.
The party said it wanted the nomination of the EC chairman to be approved by parliament beforehand while insisting on maintaining the voting period from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on election day.
In addition, he suggests that the list of all polling stations to be used for an election with their names, code numbers and locations should be published in the Gazette and as supplements in state newspapers no later than 30 days. .
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