2012 elections may be held in November
Stakeholders at the just ended Inter Party Advisory Committee meeting have resolved to hold the December 2012 general elections in November.
The December 7 date for Ghana’s general elections has come under scrutiny following the limited period for transition.
The then New Patriotic Party led government last year had barely a week to hand over to the newly elected NDC government after three rounds of elections, a situation which led to needless controversy in the country.
At the end of the three day meeting in Akosombo, representatives of all the political parties and officials of the Electoral Commission issued a communiqué in support of the change of date and a replacement of the voters register.
David Kangah Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission told Joy News the change was “welcome news.”
He stressed it is possible for the commission to fix a “manageable date” which will enable both the presidential and parliamentary elections to be held the same day, with November 7 looking the more probable date for the elections.
Critics have raised concerns over the holding of parliamentary and presidential elections on different dates arguing it could influence electorates to vote in a particular direction depending on which election is held first.
Mr. Kangah said it will not be a problem implementing the new time-table if only it is enacted into law.
Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Deputy Local Government Minister gave the assurance that government will implement the new resolutions before the next elections.
The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Ohene Ntow was happy with the discussions held by the stakeholders saying “the meeting addressed many concerns of the party.”
“I hope the concerns raised will be implemented before the next elections so we won’t be talking about the same things again,” he added.
Representatives of the People’s National Convention and Democratic Freedom Party all expressed satisfaction over the resolutions.
Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline