Governance Analyst, Professor Baffour Agyemang Duah, is warning of dire consequences for Ghana\u2019s 2016 general elections, following the Electoral Commission\u2018s (EC) decision to slash its budget.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”ETKIjmcJjfXMMAMV3nHmC6Q3B2t8siHc”]Parliament recently approved the EC\u2019s budget but had to cut down the original budget presented by the commission\u00a0from\u00a01.6 billion to GHc826.8 million.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Accra based Uniq FM, Professor Agyemang Duah said the decision is likely to\u00a0have a negative impact on the EC\u2019s ability to ensure a successful election.<\/p>\n
“…The EC had requested for about 1.6 billion cedis for the upcoming election and out of that amount, I understand not more than 800 million has been granted. Certainly the EC has its own plans and programmes and budgeted accordingly; but this severe cut is going to impact on the ability of the EC to undertake the activities it has to undertake to ensure a successful and peaceful election.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite advocating for an increment in the budget, Prof. Duah also tasked the EC to be accountable to Ghanaians<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving said that, I am certainly at times not too happy with the way the EC accounts for its elections. I don\u2019t recall anytime in our recent history where the EC has accounted for the millions of cedis the nation has given it to perform its role. I think the EC should not be independent. It should also be accountable to the people. We need to know what is in the budget and what has been proposed and I think all of us can make from a rational determination as to whether the 1.6 billion was excessive or not.”<\/p>\n
International donors have described the EC’s budget as too huge<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n –<\/p>\n By: Marian Ansah\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana
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