EC Staff Threaten Strike Action

The credibility of Ghana’s Electoral Commission is under severe test as political and individualistic tendencies continue to hamper technical and administrative directives just some eighteen months to the crucial 2004 general elections. Some workers of the Commission have expressed disgust at what they describe as ''large-scale malpractices'' within the Commission and are planning to go on strike in protest.

The issues raised include favoritism, which they claim has become the norm at the Commission, The workers, especially District officers, are surprised at the Chairman’s show of total ignorance of events in the Commission.

''Network Herald'' investigations have established that following its publication last week titled ''ELECTORAL COMMISSION DIVIDED'', which provoked reactions from and caused volcanic eruption within the Commission, District Election Officers ignored the normal channel and sought audience with the Chairman of the Commission, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan to discuss what they called pertinent issues last Tuesday.

Interestingly the officers specifically requested that the two deputy Chairmen, Mr. David Kanga and Mr. Kwadwo Sarfo Kantanka should not be invited to the meeting.

The agenda for the meeting included maintenance of official vehicles and motor bikes, withdrawal of medical refund to regional and district officers, non-payment of transfer grants and cut in the quarterly imprest and fuel allocation for each district from one gallon per day to three gallons per week.

Others were; streamlining of promotions which have been pending for years, deplorable state of residential and office accommodation at the districts, lack of information flow from the Commission to the Directors down to staff, and the state of the Collective Bargaining Agreement which has not been renewed for years now.

The rest of the problems discussed during the over two-hour meeting were delays in logistics and funds for electoral exercises, withdrawal of fuel for officers private cars and lack of training for staff.

The paper says its investigations have also established lack of coordination among the commission members and their directors as well as directors and their staff. The Officers called for immediate intervention to save the Commission’s reputation and the next general elections.