Officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) who served in various capacities during the December 2024 general election are criticizing the Commission for failing to fulfill the financial agreement made with them.
Five months after the election, the contract workers report that the government, through the EC, has not paid the allowances owed to them.
The officials raising these concerns include Presiding Officers, Verification Officers, Reference Officers, and Ballot Issuers—comprising teachers, nurses, university graduates, and students.
In a press interaction, the workers expressed frustration that despite the EC’s promise of prompt payment, it has failed to honor the terms regarding their service allowances.
They stated that the EC persuaded them to commit their time and efforts to help organize the election, but their contributions have not been compensated in line with the financial agreement.
The workers further noted that the EC has shown similar neglect in past elections, including district assembly elections, which may discourage them from collaborating with the Commission in the future.
“When we contacted the EC after the election, they surprised us by saying that they are yet to raise funds from the government to pay the workers. This is gross irresponsibility on the part of the EC,” some workers revealed.
They added: “We are deeply disappointed by how the EC is handling the situation and are unhappy with the prolonged delay in payment. This experience will deter us from working with the EC in subsequent elections.”
Expressing their dissatisfaction with the EC’s actions, the workers urged the government to take swift action to ensure the Commission pays the allowances owed to them.
Source: Nicholas Tetteh| Contributor
