'Engage vigilant, trustworthy officers for future elections'
Rev Father Dr Osei-Poku said this when contributing to a two-day regional review meeting on the 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections organised by the commission in collaboration with Department for International Development (DFID), KGC and the KAB Governance Consult at the EC’s Conference Hall in Kumasi.
“Enhancing the credibility of the 2012 elections” was the theme for the meeting and it brought together representatives from faith- based organisations, media and secular civil society organisations.
The event is held after each election to enable the Commission to take stock or obtain feedback from the stakeholders on the conduct of the 2012 elections to inform the commission on the conduct and strategies in order to avoid similar pitfalls in future elections.
Rev Father Dr Osei-Poku asked the EC to secure the necessary funds and logistics in time and also ensure early training of officers.
Mr Ernest Akosah, Ashanti Regional Coordinator of Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), said the EC must be proactive in the dissemination of information on election procedures to stakeholders, especially political parties.
He also called for effective and serious training programmes for electoral officers, agents of political parties and candidates.
Mr Listowel Yesu Bukarson, the incoming Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), urged the EC to maximise information technology to keep the media abreast of latest development.
He also called for more workshops and seminars to be organised for the media and other stakeholders to update their knowledge on electoral issues.
Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan, Chairman of the Commission, flanked by all the commission members and directors appealed to the media to exhibit professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
He said there was the need for all stakeholders to assist the EC in finding solutions to their numerous problems instead of blaming them.
He said the election-day distribution of election materials and officers was a worry to the commission and it was time parties helped to address it. - GNA
