The Chair of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa on Thursday November 5 failed to appear before Parliament to answer questions in relation to the preparations ahead of the elections on December.
This is the second time the EC boss has failed to show up in Parliament on days that she has been scheduled to brief the house on pertinent national issues. It is recalled that prior to the compilation of the new voters register, the minority had mounted pressure for the EC chair to brief the house on how the commission was going to carry out the exercise amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. She failed to show up on the June 9 as was earlier agreed with the house.
Read: EC declines to appear before Parliament on June 9
In today’s instance, the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, was forced to suspend sitting due the absence of the EC Chair.
Meanwhile, the Minister of National Security Albert Kan Dapaah who appeared before the House assured Ghanaians of a free, fair and peaceful elections in December this year.
Mr Kan-Dapaah who was briefing the House on the security situation in the country, especially as the country heads into the elections urged politicians to “uphold unity as the ultimate value before, during and after the elections”.
This, he said, will help in ensuring a violent free polls.
Mr Kan Dapaah also revealed that measures have been put in place to forestall any violence and to also deal with miscreants.
The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, urged the minister not to be trivial with security in the country.
Mr Iddrisu demanded from the minister a transparent election, adding, “we will not accept intimidation in the name of national security” during the elections.
He said deployment of security personnel for the elections should come from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and his men and women and not from any other security agency so that if there are challenges they could hold the IGP and his men responsible.
The Tamale South lawmaker said the minister in his presentation did not mention any material or resource challenge and hopes everything is in place for a peaceful election.
The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, also urged his colleagues to desist from actions and utterances that can incite violence.
He said “these politicians at one moment openly threaten the violence should they lose the elections and at another raise concerns about rising insecurity in the country” Mr speaker “ this is unacceptable and must be condemned with no uncertain terms.
The National Security minister added despite the politicization of national security which has the potential to undermine the efforts of state security actors, state actors “have remained resolved in ensuring a peaceful environment.”
By Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana