An election observer group, Care for Free and Fair Elections Ghana (CARE Ghana) has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to publish the names and pictures of all returning and deputy returning officers of the Commission for the December 7 polls.
The group said it would “meticulously” scrutinise the list to point out politically tainted people who have taken up such roles to malign the democratic process in the country.
CARE Ghana, in a statement issued on Thursday, May 2, and signed by its Executive Director, David Kumi Addo, said the request to the election management body is not just a protocol but a move to safeguard the country’s enviable democratic credentials.
“This transparency measure is not merely a matter of protocol; it is a vital safeguard against the insidious influence of criminal elements seeking to hijack our democracy for their selfish ends.
“Care for Free and Fair Elections Ghana (“CARE” GHANA) stands ready to fulfill its civic duty by meticulously scrutinizing the backgrounds and affiliations of these officers. Our extensive network of vigilant citizens will spare no effort in identifying and exposing any individuals politically tainted.
“By shining a spotlight on these infiltrators, we can prevent them from wielding undue influence over the electoral process and ensure that the voice of the people is heard loud and clear on Election Day.”
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“This call for a proactive approach is essential in rooting out corruption and ensuring that our elections remain credible. The stakes could not be higher. The future of our democracy hangs in the balance, and every action taken now will reverberate for generations to come.
“The Electoral Commission must heed this distress call and demonstrate unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust placed in them by the Ghanaian people,” the statement emphasised.
Furthermore, CARE Ghana noted that the recruitment of temporary staff ahead of the December 7 elections has led to the infiltration of party sympathisers in the EC.
It said such an infiltration demands swift and decisive action to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
“The EC, a bastion of impartiality and integrity, now stands at risk of being manipulated for partisan gain. Such blatant subversion of our electoral system strikes at the very heart of democracy and threatens the fundamental principles of free, fair and transparent election,” it added.
Below is CARE Ghana’s full statement:
