1st Monday of Nov. likely Election Day

The Electoral Commission (EC) has begun processes aimed at shifting Ghana’s election date from December 7 to the first Monday in November of every election year.

The EC on Wednesday February 24 met the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee on the matter for legal backing to the recommendation, which was made by the Constitutional Review Commission to the effect that elections be held between October and November or on a date not less than 60 days before the swearing in of a new administration.

Speaking to Class News’ parliamentary correspondent, Ekow Annan, after the meeting, Vice Chairman of the Committee, George Loh said he was optimistic the new date would help the smooth transition of power.

“The idea is that we are moving from December 7 as a date to the first Monday in November. … When you are doing your elections on Monday, it gives the Electoral Commission itself a lot of time to prepare. Between Friday, Saturday, and Sunday they can get ballot boxes across the length and breadth of this country…it enables people to also travel over the weekend to go to their hometowns to vote and come back,” he said.

Mr Loh noted that a lot of thinking went into choosing the first Monday of November as a date for elections, adding: “It is convenient for everybody”.

He also said they were trying to follow international best practice.

“One of the best democracies is the USA democracy and even they have their elections on the second Tuesday in November, so, basically we are just trying to restructure to ensure that we have enough time to do all the things that we should do,” he stressed.

Source: Ghana/ClassFMonline.com/91.3fm