Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader, has reaffirmed the Minority’s stance against the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to move the date of the general election to 2024.
At its Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on Monday, January 29, the Electoral Commission continued to discuss its proposal to move the date of the general elections with the political parties.
The majority of parties have agreed to the proposed date, but the NDC ignored this in a statement released on January 30, 2024. The party proposed that the decision made by the EC be implemented in 2028.
The party claimed that it is an inaccurate representation of the agreement made at Monday’s Inter-Party Advisory Committee meeting.
“The Electoral Commission and its supporters have declared their intention to move this year’s general election from December to November, honorable speaker. General elections are once again approaching. The NDC Minority Caucus in Parliament will not support any such change at this time; let me state that clearly.
When the house returned from recess, the Minority Leader gave his opening speech and declared, “FOR THE TIME BEING, WE WILL NOT SUPPORT THE ELECTION COMMITTEE’S DECISION TO CHANGE THE DATE FOR THE 2024 GENERAL ELECTION.”
He gave the EC instructions to concentrate all of its efforts and attention on creating the election schedule for 2024.
“The Electoral Commission should give immediate attention to more important and urgent issues than shifting the date of the general elections. The schedule for the 2024 elections has not yet been released by the Electoral Commission as of this writing. The scheduling of the 2024 election calendar must be the EC’s primary priority.
Mr. Speaker, our side of the Parliamentary Caucus may change our stance if the Electoral Commission chooses, following the 2024 elections, to undertake extensive and significant reforms after consulting with political parties and other interest groups, including faith-based organizations.”
