Disapproval of Nov 7 date distorted our plans but... - EC

The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs Charlotte Osei, has criticised Parliament for failing to approve the Commision's proposed November 7 voting day.

According to her, the failure to approve the date has distorted the plans of the Commission.

The Commission designed its election calendar based on the November 7 date and there is now the need to “update the calendar and distribute it again to IPAC”, she stated while briefing news editors on EC reforms in Accra Tuesday, adding that,  the Commission would nonetheless go ahead to ensure that its reforms are not hampered by the date.

Mrs Osei explained that the Commission was rolling out 27 reforms to ensure year’s election is free, fair and devoid of skirmishes.

One of the reforms is the increase in the number of polling station from 26,000 to 29,000 and the reduction in the number of people voting in each of the polling stations.

 

On over-voting, the EC boss said “the number of persons on the register is no long tied to the issue of over-voting," adding, the Commission has reduced the "numbers just to ensure that we have easier and a more efficient electoral process.”

Also, beginning with this election, anyone desiring to serve the Electoral Commission (EC) in the capacity of an electoral officer must have a higher educational background and would be made to take an oath before a magistrate so that in the event they foul the law, they would be punished., Charlotte Osei, says this measure is aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process which has been a subject of debate in the country.

This measure, Mrs Osei, is aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process which has been a subject of debate in the country.

 

She further disclosed that one of the things the EC and political parties have accepted to do and “which is in the law is that within 21 days to the election we will publish the list of polling stations and their codes and locations", adding that alist of polling stations would be made available to all political parties and would also be published it on the Commission’s website.