By Jessica Dele Akakpo,GNA
Accra,Nov.22, GNA - Mr Daniel Akuffo, District Chief Executive of the Shai Osudoku District Assembly has called on the public to vote “YES” in the upcoming referendum for the proposed amendment of Article 55(3) of the 1992 Constitution which will make local government elections partisan.
Article 55(3) states that Subject to the provisions of this article, a political party is free to participate in shaping the political will of the people, to disseminate information on political ideas, social and economic programmes of a national character and sponsor candidates for elections to any public office other than to District Assemblies or lower government units.
He said this at a town hall meeting in Accra on the theme “Delivering a ‘YES’ vote in the upcoming referendum to take local governance to another level of dispensation”.
The meeting was to educate the public in the upcoming referendum and also to stimulate interest in the election and mobilise the citizenry towards attaining a higher voter turnout during the exercise.
Mr Akuffo said if electorate vote yes to the referendum, political parties can participate in all public elections including local government elections, that is election of Assembly and Unit Committee Members.
Adding that candidates in any local level election may use a name of a political party, its motto, slogan and its symbol to canvas for votes and the results announced in the name of the said political party, further a political party is also eligible to endorse or sponsor a candidate of preference.
He said the referendum is to approve the amendment of 243(1) which gives a president the mandate to appoint Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives.
The amendment of the 243(1) which would be decided in the upcoming referendum by the electorate would mean that power to appoint MMDCEs would be taken from the president and given to the electorate based on Universal Adult Suffrage.
Mr Akuffo said this referendum was a platform to exhibit the spirit of patriotism and oneness among the beloved people of the Country.
“Voting in the referendum is a civic duty and it allows citizens to participate actively in the governance process at the local level thereby contributing to the development and shaping the reforms in the local governance “,he added.
He entreated all to come together as Ghanaians and with one accord, vote ‘YES’ to cement the democratic system and also choose the best candidates to lead the District’s Development.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mrs Cornelia Asante-Obeng, District Information Officer said the importance of the referendum was to ensure that, accountability of local government authorities would be affordable and have the opportunity to participate effectively in governance.
Mrs Asante-Obeng added that it was also to facilitate development through the implementation of key projects and programmes in the medium term development plans.
“Let’s us all come out in our numbers to vote and approve the Article 55(3) of the amendment law”, she said.
Mr Eric Ampadu Pabi, District Electoral Officer said it was a civic responsibility to go to the polls and vote come December 17.
He said mostly electorate were not interested in District Level Elections, forgetting that it was the place by-laws were made.
“If you feel to vote then you are not committed to your electoral area and unit”, he said.
He cautioned the public that at the polls no verification, no vote would work and urged the public to take advantage of this year’s polls to vote positively come December 17.
Citizens would also be required to vote either “YES”to support the participation of political party in the election of MMDCEs or “NO” to hold back the existing system.
The referendum requires that 40 percent of the total registered voters turn out to vote out of which 75 percent must vote in favour of the amendment to allow political parties to participate in the District Level Elections.
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