By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Electoral Commission (EC) has indicated that the proposed change in the date for general election from December 7 to November is settled but may not be implemented this year.
Speaking in an interview, the Deputy EC Chairperson in charge of Corporate Services, Dr. Eric Bossman Asare highlighted the necessity for the proposal to undergo parliamentary scrutiny before implementation.
According to him, the purpose of these proposals was to initiate discussions on potential improvements to the electoral process.
Advocating for an earlier election month, officials of the election management body emphasized that declaring election days as national holidays could enhance civic engagement and contribute to fostering a more robust democratic culture.
So, within the last few months, this is something the Commission is going to trigger.
That was agreed with the political parties, that in the event we cannot marshal the forces of IPAC to have it in November 2024, the commission should take steps to ensure that in 2028, we are going to have it in November.
This must be clear, we were not talking about November 7. At the IPAC meeting, the decision was a day in November. So it can be the first Monday, a second Monday, a third Monday, Tuesday, Friday or Thursday,” Dr Bossman explained.
During the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting held on Monday, January 22, 2024, the EC introduced the suggestion of moving both Presidential and Parliamentary elections to November 7 and designating election days as national holidays.
