EC picks Yellow & Dark Brown for December 17 referendum

The Electoral Commission has announced Red and Dark Brown as the colours for the upcoming referendum to decide whether political parties should sponsor candidates for district level elections in the country.

Ghanaians will be required to answer ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the question: “Are you in favour of the bill to amend clause 3 of Article 55 of the 1992 constitution to allow political parties to sponsor candidates for election to District Assemblies or Lower Local Government Units?”.

“All eligible voters who intend to vote in favour of the bill to amend Clause 3 of Article 55 are required to thumbprint in the box beside the colour Yellow whilst those not in favour are required to thumbprint in the box beside the colour Dark Brown“.

The referendum is scheduled to take place across the country on December 17, 2019.

The current article does not allow multi-partisan politics at the district level.

Currently, the President nominates the various MMDCEs and subsequent approval by their respective Assembly members; however, if this proposal is approved during the referendum, MMDCEs would directly be elected by the electorates on political party basis and not being nominated by the president anymore.

For this to happen, the referendum must record at least 40 percent voter turnout of total registered voters in the country and 75 percent voting to affirm the proposal.