Coalition of CSOs calls out EC for denying them accreditation to observe Dec 7 elections

A coalition of over 20 local Civil Society Organizations have called on the Electoral Commission’s Chairperson, Jean Mensa, to explain the decision to deny them accreditation to observe the 2024 general elections. 

The coalition expressed concerns about the transparency of the EC’s actions, questioning the motives behind the refusal. At a press conference in Accra, the group, described the EC’s actions as dictatorial.

“We demanded to know the reason why we are not given accreditations. They said they have criteria and one of their criteria is that you might have done some work with them. I said if that is the criteria, then we have been overqualified because Centre for Conflict Resolution has done election monitoring and observation from 2008 and we have never given the Electoral Commission any problem,” Rockson Konde Masun, Director of Programs, Centre for Conflict Resolution said.

The CSOs are demanding that EC gives them accreditation or cogent reason for the denial.

Convener of CSOs for transparent elections, David Kumi Addo said “the action of the Commission is very abusive. You deny us accreditation and you refuse to tell us exactly the reason why you are denying us.”

Meanwhile, Executive Director of TIDA, Abdul Razack Nuhu emphasised that the Electoral Commission’s action “has breached a long-standing practice and raised legitimate questions about what the EC chair, Jean Mensa, seeks to conceal from the public scrutiny.”

Security expert and Executive Secretary of the Africa Centre for Human Security, Adib Sani, described the EC’s actions as dictatorial, stating that such tendencies pose a serious threat to the democratic process.

“How can Ghanaians trust the integrity of their elections if credible organisations are excluded from observing them?” Mr. Sani queried.

He called on the EC to reconsider its decision and uphold its commitment to fostering transparent and inclusive elections. He said “As a matter of courtesy, if you lack anything, you shouldn’t lack courtesy. Provide justification. Why? And that is what we don’t have at this point in time.”

The group however, reiterated the it’s determination to observe the elections regardless of the EC’s decision.

Convenor of the Coalition of 12 CSOs for Transparent Elections, David Kumi Addo, noted that “We are telling them and we are telling everybody we are observing the elections whether we get accreditation or not. The Commission gives accreditation to be able to access the perimeter where the elections is being organised. Is that not so?”

He explained that “Now, after the elections, the law says that place the result on the notice board where the polling centre is. Are they going to shield that one too? Are they going to prevent people from seeing that? Obviously not.”

Mr. David Kumi Addo concluded that “there are many ways we are going to use and we are going to observe these elections.”

The post Coalition of CSOs calls out EC for denying them accreditation to observe Dec 7 elections first appeared on 3News.

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