NEC considering election tribunal - Kanga

Accra, April 20, GNA- The National Electoral Commission (NEC) is considering modalities for the establishment of a tribunal to arbitrate on election disputes.

Mr. David Kanga, Deputy Chairman of the NEC in charge of Operations, told journalists, politicians and academics in Accra that "discussion on the tribunal issue is gaining weight and we do not have the intention of discarding it."

The Institute of Economic Affairs, a public policy centre, organised the forum for the various groups to discuss "the state of preparedness of the Electoral Commission for election 2000".

Mr. Kanga noted that some sections of the population still have a negative perception about the commission's role in the democratic process. " I think to blame someone when you lose an election, has a perpetual relevance to Ghana."

The Deputy Chairman announced that very soon the identities of all senior election officials would be published for public scrutiny. He said "these are some the steps we are taking to make our operations more transparent."

Mr. Kanga said "it is better to keep observers attached to parties for sometime so that they develop the commitment as well as learn the rules of the process adding, "most often the parties choose men with no energy or too much energy."

He said new polling stations to be opened would not pose much financial strain of the commission's budget. He called on the political parties and other interest groups to help the ignorant to understand the issues involved in governance and the entire election process for them to accept outcomes of elections readily.

Mr Kanga urged politicians not to exploit the ignorance of the electorate, neither should they make unrealistic promises Nana (Dr) S.K.B. Asante, Chairman of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission, who presided, said constitutional bodies should be spared the ordeal of bureaucracy when accessing funds from the Consolidated Fund.

He said their financial independence is needed to make them really independent.