This, he said was the reason the committee discussed and agreed on the setting up of a strong legal department for the EC to prosecute such offenders to help sanitize Ghana\u2019s elections.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s empower the EC, let us create a strong legal department because the EC has no legal department and because they are an independent institution of state, let them be able to prosecute,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n
Dr. Gyampo stated that over the years, there have been reports of party bigwigs who instigate illigality among their supporters to\u00a0violate the electoral rules with the assurance that when they come to power, they [the supporters] will be set free in the event that they are arrested.<\/p>\n AG as sole prosecutor not effective<\/strong><\/p>\n Dr.\u00a0Gyampo pointed out that the AG\u2019s Department which is the sole prosecutor for the state has not worked in favour of the country in\u00a0\u00a0electoral offences.<\/p>\n \u201cOver the years, how have we fared with what the constitution says? Have we implemented it and has it been able to inure to our benefit in terms of our electoral system?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n He remarked that if this system has not helped the situation, then it is time to change the laws because the country\u2019s electoral processes have undergone a lot of changes \u201cand this should be one of such changes.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Gyampo admitted that even though there is merit in the argument for an independent prosecutor\u2019s office to be created, and be in charge of prosecuting irrespective of whichever side of the political divide offenders belong, \u201cpoliticians are not so much interested in paying heed to this particular recommendation.\u201d<\/p>\n The alternative therefor is to have the EC prosecute some of these offenders and \u201cif we do that, there wouldn\u2019t be no impunity.\u201d<\/p>\n Guarantees<\/strong><\/p>\n The Electoral Reform Committee member was optimistic that empowering the EC to prosecute will reduce to the barest minimum, or possibly put an end to electoral offences.<\/p>\n He mentioned that considering the fact the EC representatives on the committee expressed their frustration over the matter, it is indicative of a will to effectively discharge such duties if conferred on the Commission.<\/p>\n Dr. Gyampo also stated that since people are forced to respect the laws when they know they will be prosecuted for any violation, a legal department for the EC is the way to go.<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes, when people know that by violating or taking the law into their own hands, will bring about some punishment and swift response, they will be careful and cautious about what they do,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By: Efua Idan Osam\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana![\"Dr.](\"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/gyampo.jpg\")
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