Friday’s public holiday shifted to Election Day Dec 7
This year's Farmers Day public holiday which should have been observed on Friday December 4, 2020 has now been shifted to Monday, December 7, 2020.
A statement dated December 2, 2020, signed and issued Wednesday evening by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Mr Eugene Arhin said President Akufo-Addo by an Executive Instrument declared Monday, December 7, 2020, as a public holiday.
"This is to facilitate the conduct of the election in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, help ensure strict observance of COVID-19 safety protocoals on election day, and enable registered voters exercise their franchise in safety and with minimal inconvenience," the statement said.
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It said the decision was taken following the submission of a proposal to the President by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa, a proposal which is supported by the Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) for Monday, 7th December, to be declared as a public holding to permit the safe exercise of the franchise, in the context of the pandemic.
It said under section 3 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act, 2001, (Act 601), the President has the power to declare any other day as a public holiday, instead of a day specified as a statutory public holiday.
Thus, with Farmers Day having been celebrated on Friday, November 6, 2020, the President is satisfied that it will be inexpedient for Friday, December 4, 2020 which is a statutory public holiday, to be observed as a public holiday. "As such, Friday, 4th December 2020, will not be observed as a holiday," it said.
Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh