POLITICS
December 7 remains general elections day
December 7 will remain the statutory day for holding Presidential and Parliamentary elections across the country.
Chairperson of the Electoral Commission Jean Mensa confirmed same to state publisher Graphic, ending speculations of a change in date.
Earlier media reports suggested the date for the general elections could be moved to November 7 to allow for smoother power transitions following a failed attempt to do so in 2016.
But Mrs Mensa, ending the speculations, said despite the Commission’s willingness to change the date, there isn’t enough time to do so.
“Although the EC is in favour of the change in date, we don’t intend to do so this year,” the EC Chair is quoted as saying.
Runoffs
Concerns with changing the voting date intensified with the little time left for power transitions when the opposition wins the elections in a runoff.
In the 2000 general election, the runoff was held on December 28, which saw John Kufuor defeating then-Vice President John Atta Mills.
With the law requiring swearing-in of the president on January 7, the transitioning period was just after a week.
In 2008 after President Kufuor was stepping down after his second term, Atta Mills and then governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo both failed to win more than 50 per cent of the total valid votes, which meant another runoff.
This was also held on December 28, after which Prof. Mills won. This once again left little time for transition.
A change in the date of the general election, would then provide for enough time for the 21day period for the runoff and also enough time for a smooth transition period, experts argue.
The EC’s calendar is meanwhile, packed, with the compilation of a new register expected to start on April 18 to the end of May 2020.
-
Lifestyle1 month ago
Road Safety Authority narrates how buttocks causes road accident
-
GENERAL NEWS1 month ago
Why 15 police officers stormed Owusu Bempah’s church – Kumchacha narrates
-
GENERAL NEWS1 month ago
Watch how Ibrahim Mahama rode Honda superbike to pay last respects to late friend
-
GENERAL NEWS1 month ago
How Offinso residents storm destooled queen mother’s house, demand for new chief
-
South Africa News1 month ago
Woman thrown out of a speeding taxi while on her way to work
-
GENERAL NEWS3 weeks ago
Deadly clash between youth and navy personnel results in two deaths at Tema Manhean
-
SHOWBIZ KONKONSAH3 weeks ago
Junior Pope’s Death: Video of John Dumelo refusing to join canoe for movie shoot over safety concerns resurfaces
-
News Africa2 months ago
‘Satanically dubious’ – SCOAN releases statement on BBC’s report about TB Joshua, church