A former Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan has cautioned the Commission against imposing changes in the electoral system on political parties.
He underscored the relevance of the country’s three decades of uninterrupted democracy that have afforded a republican dispensation.
Speaking at the Fourth Constitution Day Lecture on Monday, January 8, Dr Afari-Gyan emphasised the need for key actors in the nation’s electoral system to guard against circumstances that have the potential to stampede it.
Dr Afari-Gyan cautioned the EC not to impose decisions concerning electoral reforms on political parties but to strive to reach a consensus.
“The Electoral Commission must view the Inter-Party Advisory Committee as a convenient forum for discussing changes to our electoral practices, irrespective of whether the intended change originates from the Commission or the party.
“The reason is that it is not good practice to foist changes in electoral practices on important stakeholders like political parties. It is prudent to discuss any intended changes thoroughly at iPAC meetings with a view to achieving consensus.
“If consensus is achieved, the iPAC then becomes a convenient vehicle for disseminating the changes to the electorate,” he said.
The former EC Chairman bemoaned the dominance of monetary inducement in the country’s electoral system, adding that it could have negative implications for the country’s fledgling democracy.
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