The Staff Union of the Electoral Commission (EC) has called for far-reaching governance reforms to strengthen transparency, accountability and collective decision-making within the Commission.
The union urged the Commission to restore its constitutional governance framework by convening timely meetings by its members.
It said the proposed reforms were necessary to reinforce public confidence in the country's election management body, a petition signed by the Chairman of the EC Divisional Union, Richard Agorkor, to the Chairperson of the Commission, Jean Mensa, said.
Key reforms
Among the union's demands are the convening of regular Commission meetings in accordance with the Constitution, the restoration of collective decision-making on policy, finance, procurement and human resource matters, and the decentralisation of administrative authority.
The petition said empowering the Deputy Chairpersons and other authorised officers to discharge their lawful responsibilities would ensure continuity of operations and improve institutional efficiency.
It also urged the Commission to strengthen its institutional capacity by prioritising the appointment and development of qualified permanent staff instead of relying on external consultants to manage key operational departments.
According to the union, the reforms would promote transparency, accountability, fairness and good corporate governance within the Commission.
Other concerns
The petition also called for the suspension of the ongoing recruitment process for the position of Director of Finance pending approval by the Commission, as well as a halt to the proposed disposal of the Commission's operational assets until a comprehensive needs assessment and replacement plan had been approved.
The union argued that those decisions should be considered by the Commission at duly constituted meetings in line with its constitutional governance framework.
Commitment
The union said it remained committed to working with management in the interest of protecting the Commission's independence and credibility.
"The Staff Union remains committed to working constructively with Management and the Commission in the collective interest of preserving the independence, credibility and institutional integrity of the Electoral Commission," the petition stated.
It expressed the hope that the concerns would receive the Chairperson's immediate attention and that appropriate remedial measures would be taken in the best interest of the Commission and the country.
