'Electoral Commission's credibility is currently fractured'- LMVCA

The Let My Vote Count Alliance (LMVCA) has urged the Chief Justice to resolve swiftly the impasse between the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and two deputy commissioners in order to restore the integrity of the Electoral body.

 In a statement signed by the Director of Operations for the LMVCA, John H. Acquaah, the alliance noted it had been keenly monitoring the developments in the case between the two parties and is concerned that the matter has marred public confidence in the election management body. 

The statement read, "The swift resolution of the above matter will not only restore public confidence, but also enable the EC to resume smooth operations as the institution responsible for public elections in the country. With the upcoming elections in the various District Assemblies, internal political party primaries as well as possible by-elections."

"The LMVCA is of the firm conviction that the electoral commission of Ghana presently lacks the ability to conduct fair, open, transparent and credible elections with this current disposition of fractured integrity and credibility.", it added.

They further emphasized that the Chief Justice as well as all stakeholders involved must deal with the case and its petitions with immediacy to ensure that the Electoral Commission gets back on its feet as the body mandated to carry out elections in the country's democratic dispensation.

A petition forwarded to the Presidency from unnamed EC staff who are being led by Lawyer Maxwell Opoku-Agyemang, against the EC boss, is pending before the Chief Justice.

In the initial petition, a litany of allegations were levelled against her, including spending GH¢3.9 million to partition an office, receipt of a Toyota Land Cruiser from the erstwhile John Mahama NDC government, spending about $14 million when the Public Procurement Authority had authorized her to use only $7.5 million, as well as attending Cabinet meetings during the tenure of the President John Mahama, among other issues.

A new petition was subsequently filed for the impeachment of Charlotte Osei over alleged breaches of public procurement practices and provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2003 (Act 663), as well as gross financial mismanagement.

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