Electoral Commission Proposes new date for District level Elections, demands additional GHC90m 

The Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, has proposed July, 2015 for the conduct of the District Assembly Elections.

Dr. Afari-Gyan made the proposal yesterday when he appeared before Parliament’s Committee of the Whole in a closed-door meeting with his two deputies, Mr Amadu Sulley, Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations and Ms. Georgina Opoku Amankwaa, Deputy Chairperson in charge of Finance and administration for questioning on the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of the District Assembly Elections which was scheduled for March 3, 2015.

The proposed date follows the cancellation of the District Assembly Elections by the Supreme Court with a directive to the EC “to prepare a new legislation to be passed by Parliament before fresh nominations are taken for the elections.”

He informed legislators that the EC would need an addition amount of GH¢90 million for their operations to ensure the smooth conduct of the District Assemblies Election.

The EC early on requested for about 327 million Ghana Cedis of which Government paid 317 million Cedis leaving a balance of 10 million. 

The 90 million Ghana Cedis according to sources will increase if the number of candidates for the elections goes up when fresh nominations are opened. 

The Leadership of the House, the Committee on Subsidiary  Legislation, Local Government and Rural Development and the Finance Ministries are to meet wednesday, to discuss the way forward as directed by the Speaker.

The House last week summoned officials of the EC following the ruling by the Supreme Court annulling the earlier processes undertaken by the EC. 

Meanwhile Parliament has approved the Fees and Charges Amendment Instrument 2014,L.I 2216 which gives 72 Ministries, Departments and Agencies the mandate to collect fees and charges in the provision of services to the public. 

The instrument comes into force at the expiration of 21 sitting days as provided for under the Constitution.  

GBC/ISD