We’re building an EC devoid of political tag – EC Commissioner

The new leadership of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) says it is working to ensure that the Commission is not seen as though it is working for the interest of any political party in the country.

A Commissioner of the EC, Dr. Eric Bossman Asare, who gave the assurance on TV3 New Day Wednesday, did not say whether the Commission is seen as working for a particular political party.

Some political figures have in the past criticised the EC, accusing it of working in the interest of the political party of the government in power, a claim it has always rejected.

“We want to have an institution that is highly credible; where it does not matter the political party you belong to or any side of the country that you come from. You know that this is an institution that can be trusted,” Dr. Bossman Asare said when asked about his experience at the EC so far.

Dr. Bossman Asare who was in July this year appointed to the EC together with others including the chairperson Mrs. Jean Mensa, said the new leadership is working hard and putting measures in place towards building a good image for the Commission.

He added that the EC is also ensuring that its offices are friendly enough to have people walk in for enquiries and to get registered amongst other things.

“We want to get to a point where every Ghanaian can walk in and say I turned 18, and I am here to register. It should be very simple just like that,” he saidWhile former chair of the commission, Mrs. Charlotte Osei was sacked over financial infractions among others, Mr. Bossman Asare said the new leadership will ensure that the EC offers value for money by seeing to it budget for the Commission is expended prudently.

All set for referendum on new regions

Commenting on preparations towards the upcoming referendum on the creation of new regions in the country, he said everything is ready the vote to be taken on December 27, 2018.

The commissioner indicated that personnel to oversee the referendum have already been trained and equipped for the task ahead.

He said voter education was also ongoing to get eligible voters acquainted with the dynamics of the referendum.

“We have started rolling television commercials and radio jingles. We have men in the villages going round educating the people, telling people about the process,” he said.

The creation of the some six new regions became necessary after some Chiefs petitioned the president for new regions to be created.

A Commission of Inquiry was subsequently established by the President to look into the matter, and after its nationwide consultation, recommended to the government for six more new regions to be created.

The EC was consequently given the green light to conduct a referendum in the new regions.

The new regions to be created are Ahafo, Bono East, Savannah, North East, Oti and Western North.