Stakeholders pledge to assist EC fulfil mandate

A number of stakeholders have pledged their support to the Electoral Commission (EC) to carry out its electoral duties before, during and after the various upcoming elections.

The stakeholders from various sectors -- the media, faith-based institutions, religious bodies and the judiciary, said they were prepared to use their platforms to help in educating the public to understand the country’s electoral processes and also participate fully to ensure success on all fronts.

They pledged their commitment at separate meetings held with the EC as part of the latter’s ongoing stakeholder tour in Accra.

At the meetings, the stakeholders also stressed the need for citizens to rally behind the commission and support the leadership to carry out its electoral mandate.

EC on the move

The EC has in the past month intensified its activeness on the ground as part of its strategy to seek the partnership and support of key stakeholders ahead of the upcoming various elections.

The commission, in May this year, began a tour to critical stakeholders in the media, religious bodies, traditional leaders and former Presidents to solicit their support ahead of its electoral agenda for this year and next year.

Led by its Chairperson, Mrs Jean Mensa, the commission began its visit to some media organisations, including the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), the Multimedia Group, Daily Guide, Peace Fm and Citi fm.

At the media meetings, the EC chairperson explained to the leadership of the various organisations that the commission had been busy with various reforms aimed at strengthening the operations of the EC, and assured the media industry of the commission’s readiness to open its doors for future engagements.

Mrs Mensa said the commission considered the media houses as major partners in its quest to roll out the various election reforms to the public and had, therefore, decided to embark on the tour to foster strong partnership with key institutions ahead of its various election-related activities.

Additionally, she said the purpose of the tour was to recount some of the operations the commission had undertaken since she took over its leadership about 10 months ago.

Faith-based

The commission also visited some faith-based organisations and religious institutions.

They include the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), the National Association of Charismatic and Christian Churches (NACCC), the National Chief Imam’s Office and the Ahmadiya Muslim Mission.

On Tuesday, June 18, 2019, Mrs Mensa, accompanied by her two deputies — Dr Bossman Eric Asare and Mr Samuel Tettey, visited the Chief Justice where they held a closed-door meeting as part of the tour.

At the various meetings with the religious bodies, Mrs Mensa said efforts were being made by the commission to enhance transparency.

She said the commission was working hard to open its doors to all stakeholders to make the electoral process free and fair.

“It is not possible for the commission to rig any elections because the process is so transparent that nobody can do so,” Mrs Mensa underscored.

Empowerment

A number of the religious bodies called for the empowerment of the EC and stressed the need for people to rally behind the leadership to undertake its reforms.

They explained that the work of the EC was so vital that it needed the support and constant prayers from the public to enable it to do its work.