EC expected in Parliament next week — Majority Leader
The Electoral Commission is expected to appear before the Special Budget Committee of Parliament next week to brief it on its preparedness towards the conduct of the 2020 elections, Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has told Parliament.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu who doubles as the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs said he, on Thursday, engaged leadership of the Commission who had indicated of their readiness to brief the House on their preparations, so far, towards the crucial December presidential and parliamentary polls.
The Minority caucus since the resumption from recess on Tuesday had requested that the EC came to brief the House ahead of the intended compilation of a new voters register for the 2020 elections.
The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu and Adaklu Member, Governs Kwame Agbodza, yesterday reiterated their call after the Majority Leader presented the Business Statement, the activity lineup for next week.
Responding to their call, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said, “the EC would possibly come next week to brief the House.”
“Regarding the programme that EC intend to follow, that is set out in the budget that they submitted to us [which has been approved.]
“Even yesterday, I did [engage the EC] and they indicated to me that they would get back to me today [yesterday Friday].
“In waiting for their response which I believe will come by the close of day for us to know exactly when next week possibly we shall meet.
“If we have to meet them in a close sitting or the Committee, or the Special Budget Committee which has direct oversight responsibility over them, we will do what is needful,” he said.
With six months left to the December 7, 2020 polls, the EC insists that only a new voters’ roll would guarantee a credible poll.
Whilst the NDC contends that the current roll is credible and that the timing for compiling the new register was wrong, the EC is adamant.
The EC which had earlier settled on April 18, 2020 to commence the exercise had to postpone it indefinitely as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
It is unclear when the EC would commence the compilation of the new roll with the ban on social gathering still in force.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
