Forum urges EC to be accountable to Ghanaians
Participants in a national stakeholders forum have asked the Electoral Commission (EC) to be accountable to Ghanaians, including taking note of their will and wishes, and adopt steps to ensure the conduct of free, fair, peaceful and transparent elections.
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They also called on the Commission to fully collaborate with all stakeholders in resolving the impasse and challenges with the voters register.
After extensive discussions in Accra, the forum, organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs, also recommended that while the independence of the EC should be protected and respected, the Commission must adhere to its own timetable as spelt out on the election calendar.
The forum was on the theme: “Towards Credible, Acceptable and Violence-Free Elections in 2016: The Role of Key Stakeholders.”
Judiciary
Concerning the judiciary, the participants in their recommendation stated that the various training schedules for judges should be carried out on time to fully equip and prepare the judiciary to handle all election-related matters expeditiously.
The forum also called on Ghana to implement international conventions, particularly AU and ECOWAS treaties on elections to boost the credibility of the electoral process.
Security agencies
The security agencies, participants pointed out, should act professionally to deal with the perception of bias against the opposition parties and to boost public confidence in their activities before, during and after the elections.
They further stated that while political parties should refrain from encouraging the formation of vigilante groups, the security agencies must perceive the activities of vigilante groups as criminal.
Such groups and those behind them must be dealt with ruthlessly and in accordance with the laws of the land.
According to the participants, there should be thorough and effective training for the security agencies to be abreast of electoral processes and the laws regulating the processes.
They said the police should also deal with ‘thugs and machomen’ as well as those who incited violence.
The security agencies were also advised to work to reduce the proliferation of arms in Ghana and ensure that all Ghanaians who owned guns registered them.
Media
Participants in the forum urged the media to eschew sensationalism in its reportage and report only the truth.
“They should refrain from the use of abusive language and desist from inciting violence. Where media practitioners incite violence, they should be dealt they according to the law, “pointed out.
They added that the media should always be prepared to offer apologies and retract stories when necessary, while the state-owned media must endeavour to create a level playing field for all political parties in the lead up to the general election.
The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association was also advised to put in place a mechanism to regulate the performance of its members at least against inciting violence with assistance from the National Media Commission and the National Communications Authority.
Participants in the forum also noted that efforts to encourage the media to avoid inciting violence should not be a licence for security personnel to harass the media and journalists for broadcasting or publishing unpalatable material, especially about the incumbent under any spurious excuse of national security.
The media was also urged not call election results. But to wait and only publish official elections results from the EC after voting.