Ghana\u2019s Electoral Commission (EC) has declared its intentions of rolling out series of reforms in the 2016 elections to avert controversies that characterized the 2012 elections.<\/p>\n
The EC said it will expand its strong room to make it more accessible to the various political parties.<\/p>\n
The EC Director of Finance, Joseph Kwaku Asamoah said the Commission also intends to have two Biometric Verification Device(BVD) at every polling station to address challenges of breakdown during elections.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”VjfGufP5wUX4CHIaY67v8LbBiHIEQAjy”]Speaking at a forum organized by the UNDP to conclude a memorandum of understanding between the EC and political parties, Mr. Asamoah said the EC will introduce BVD’s at each centre \u201cso that immediately one breaks down, one can serve as a substitute.\u201d<\/p>\n
He further stated that \u201cpolitical parties who are very critical stakeholders, should appoint competent and qualified polling station or collation centre agents\u2026\u201d to critically monitor election results.<\/p>\n
Ghana recorded a landmark case brought before the Supreme Court by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over widespread irregularities which took place in some polling centres during the 2012 Presidential elections.<\/p>\n
Although the final verdict by the court went in favour of President Mahama, the Supreme Court judges made some recommendations to help improve the electoral system in the country.<\/p>\n
During the election petition hearing, the Presiding Judge, William Atuguba, said the petition had exposed the need for certain electoral reforms.<\/p>\n
Other stakeholders have also called on the EC to implement\u00a0reforms recommended by the Supreme Court<\/span>.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The EC, in that regard, subsequently called on political parties to submit proposals for reforms of the electoral process after the ruling by the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By: Marian Efe Ansah\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana
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