CDD - EC Refused to Engage CSOs in IPAC Meetings

The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) has alluded that the Electoral Commission (EC) did not engage civil society organisations (CSOs) at its last two Inter-party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meetings.

The situation is partly to blame for the recent back and forth between the Commission and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Dr Kojo Asante, Director for Advocacy and Policy Engagement, CDD, made the disclosure saying, "We haven't gotten invitations to IPAC meetings, I know the last two IPAC meetings that were held, we weren't invited.

"We have said because of arguments that happen during such meetings, it is important for the public to get an independent version of what happens, if another person is not there, then it becomes a problem.

"When the electoral reforms were concluded, one of the issues was for the two sides to participate in the IPAC meeting, there was an agreement that should happen, there was also a question if that should be put to the CI, but that wasn't done.

"There was consensus that should happen, it didn't happen and when it gets to the heat of the election, the EC will call CODEO, CDD or IDEG, we have insisted that it is useful for the Electoral Commission and for the public record to make sure it is implemented," Dr Asante bemoaned.

Asiedu Nketia, the NDC General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in his recent utterances on IPAC meetings had alleged that CSOs that formed an essential part of such meetings had not been invited to recent meetings which had compelled the CDD to warn the EC to be mindful of how it manages its disagreements with the party as it could undermine the institution's reputation.

Dr Asante indicated that "there are going to be more meetings and critical issues have to be managed with more carefulness, I really want to entreat the Commission to ensure that issues are not projected out there to create acrimony for everybody.

"The EC should step back and repair whatever issues rather than playing it in the public gallery, if we have an Electoral Commission which is unable to manage process of consensus building around issues of elections then it is dangerous for our democratic dispensation," Dr Asante cautioned.

-citinewsroom.com

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