The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has categorically dismissed allegations that public confidence in its operations is waning ahead of the December 7 general elections.
This statement follows a recent Afrobarometer report conducted by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), which raised concerns among a section of the Ghanaian public about the Commission’s impartiality.
The Afrobarometer report from CDD-Ghana suggested a perceived decline in trust in the EC’s independence.
The findings indicated that a significant portion of the population is increasingly skeptical about the Commission’s ability to conduct free and fair elections without bias.
However, Dr. Eric Bossman Asare, the Deputy Chairperson of the EC, has strongly refuted these claims.
In a recent media interview, Dr. Asare described the concerns as unfounded, affirming the EC’s unwavering commitment to delivering credible and transparent elections. He assured Ghanaians that the Commission remains resolute in maintaining electoral integrity.
In defending the EC’s credibility, Dr. Asare outlined several measures that have been implemented to strengthen the electoral process.
These initiatives include the deployment of advanced biometric systems to verify voters, rigorous training programs for polling staff, and the reinforcement of oversight mechanisms at all polling stations.
He stated that these steps are aimed at enhancing the transparency and reliability of the upcoming elections.
Dr. Asare also highlighted Ghana’s strong reputation within Africa for conducting high-quality elections.
“You talk about the quality of elections in Africa; Ghana is one of the best on the continent,” he stated, emphasizing the country’s consistent track record in managing democratic processes effectively.
He expressed pride in Ghana’s status as a leading example of electoral conduct on the continent.
Addressing the specific issue of a forensic audit raised in the Afrobarometer report, Dr. Asare recalled a public meeting held by the EC, which was broadcast nationally.
He noted that the meeting was intended to demonstrate the Commission’s transparency and reassured the public that the EC has “nothing to hide.”
Dr. Asare urged Ghanaians to remain confident in the EC’s abilities, highlighting the Commission’s history of successfully overseeing previous elections.
He called on the public to have faith in the EC’s capability to conduct a fair election, noting that past elections have been managed without significant controversies.
Dr. Asare appealed to the public to focus on the measures in place to ensure that the upcoming elections are conducted transparently and credibly.
He reiterated that every vote would be accurately counted and faithfully reported, underscoring the EC’s commitment to upholding the trust and confidence of the Ghanaian electorate.
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