Former Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to take initiatives to restore the strained relationship it has with the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking in an exclusive interview with JoyNews’ Evans Mensah, he noted that the uncordial relationship between the EC and the opposition NDC may not chart a productive path for the country with regards to electoral progress.
“I think there is an effort that has to be made here to create a better working relationship between the EC and all the political parties, especially the NDC in this case,” he said.
His comments come after the executives of the National Democratic Congress rejected an invitation from the Electoral Commission to attend an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC).
According to the NDC in a press statement, “the current leadership of the Electoral Commission who supervised the manipulation of the 2020 general elections and the stolen verdict that resulted from same, lack the integrity, credibility, and impartiality to lead any such discussions or review of the very elections they rigged,” hence their reason not to honour the invitation.
Peter Otokunor, the party’s Deputy General Secretary noted that the invitation came as a surprise to him because he never believed the EC had the effrontery to pull such a stunt.
But discussing the growth of Ghana’s democracy, Ibn Chambas indicated that there was a need for the country to adopt some multi-party practices that are currently working for other States and incorporate them.
“Looking globally, there are probably other systems of governance, democratic modules based on multi-partyism…where perhaps broader spectrums or views can be taken on board. Inclusiveness in governance can also be effective and evident,” he said.
He, however, advised political parties to stay true to their words and promises after they are given the mandate to govern.
Adding that “they tend to advocate more for dealing with this winner takes all, but then when they come into government, the appetite weakens a bit”.
