Cwealth commends Ghana's electoral accomplishment

Accra, May 19, GNA - The Commonwealth Secretariat on Wednesday commended the electoral accomplishment of Ghana, describing it as a model for democratic states.

"The Commonwealth acknowledges especially the role of Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Chairman of Ghana's Electoral Commission, and his team of Electoral Managers for helping in entrenching and consolidating the nation's democracy," Mrs Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, Deputy Secretary-General stated in Accra.

Speaking at the beginning of a three-day Commonwealth Conference of Election Management Bodies, Mrs Masire-Mwamba said the role of Ghana's EC in Elections 2008 pitched Ghana's democracy at a level that should serve as a yardstick for electoral measurement.

The Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General described elections as key elements of democratic practice, noting that election management bodies were pivotal institutions at the heart of the electoral process. Mrs Masire-Mwamba said the Commonwealth would continue to acknowledge and support election management bodies that were independent, impartial and exhibit professionalism and transparency in their operations.

"These are critical electoral characteristics which ensure that election management bodies enjoy the trust of the people, a crucial element in ensuring the credibility of an election and enhancing public and political confidence in it," she said.

She said the Commonwealth was fundamentally committed to supporting democracy, democratic processes and institutions among member states, stressing that election management bodies were central to the quality of democratic and electoral process in a country.

"It is clear from our observation of elections that election management bodies are vital democratic institutions and integral to the success of an election," she stated.

The Deputy Secretary-General of the Commonwealth noted that the establishment of "Network of Commonwealth National Election Management Bodies," to help raise the standard of key electoral institutions to provide great value to members in strengthening the culture of democracy in their respective countries.

She said a group of senior election officials from the Commonwealth who proposed the network at Marlborough House in September 2009, agreed that such a Network would be of tangible benefit to national election management bodies in the Commonwealth, which would enable them to achieve the highest possible standards. "We are not seeking to create a new institution or duplicate existing initiatives in the field.

"The Network will create support mechanisms, promote good practices and facilitate opportunities for peer support, technical assistance and capacity-building for election management bodies across the Commonwealth," she noted.

Mrs Masire-Mwamba said the network would also facilitate dialogue and exchanges between election managers; develop and disseminate materials on aspects of good electoral practice; and identify specific mechanisms for peer support.

Dr Afari-Gyan in his welcoming address, commended the Commonwealth for its contribution towards electoral transformation among member states and pledged Ghana's commitment to the electoral management body. The Accra Conference is being attended by Heads of election management bodies in the 54-member Commonwealth and would discuss how the Network would help raise the standard of election management bodies and provide value to members in strengthening the culture of democracy in their respective countries.