By Collins Agyekum-Gyasi, Kumasi
THE CHAIRMAN of the Electoral Commission, Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan, has expressed optimism that the December 28, 2010 District Level Elections (DLE) would definitely take place as scheduled.
Interacting with District Officers of the Electoral Commission (EC), National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) as well as the Information Services Department (ISD) in Kumasi on their respective responsibilities to ensure the success of the DLE, Dr Afari, assured them, “we can hold the elections; We can tell the people that we can.”
Speaking on the theme ‘Harnessing The Resources Of EC, NCCE and ISD for improved citizen participation in the 2010 DLE”, he said he had been yearning to see an amendment in the Act 473 District Assembly Act 1994, which restricted platform mounting to introduce candidates as the sole prerogative of the EC.
He commended the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Yileh Chireh, for has efforts towards the amendment.
Dr Afari Gyan explained that Act 801, currently liberalised platform mounting in two major ways; it allows candidates to mount their own platforms, in addition to those mounted by the EC.
It also allows organisations not associated with any political party to support the EC in cash or kind for the purpose of mounting a platform for the common use of candidates.
Currently, LI 1967 has reduced the membership of Unit Committees from 15 to five elected ones.
It also reduces the number of Unit Committees from 15,000 to 6,135 Dr Gyan explained that instead of the 10 previously elected to form a Unit Committee, only five would be elected.
Dr Afari advised the electorates to elect the most suitable, intelligent and serious minded candidates to facilitate development at the grassroots.
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