CODEO asks President Akufo-Addo to present full report on EC 

The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to make available the full report of the Chief Justice’s Committee which caused the dismissal of the chairperson of the Electoral Commission and her two deputies.  

President Akufo-Addo removed Mrs Charlotte Osei and her deputies Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku Amankwa on the recommendations of the Committee established by the Chief Justice, pursuant to Articles 44 (2), 44(3), and 146(4) of the Constitution.

The Committee investigated certain allegations contained in petitions submitted to the President in July 2017, asking for the removal of the Chairperson and her two deputies. 

CODEO in a statement acknowledged that the President’s action in removing the three officers of the Commission is in accordance with the process prescribed by Article 146 of the Constitution but is urging him in the interest of transparency and accountability to make the full report of  the Chief Justice’s Committee public. 

CODEO also urged all political parties to be mindful of their utterances following the dismissal of the Chairperson and her two deputies. 

CODEO further hopes that the publication of the Committee’s full report will inform the review and reform of the EC’s future operations.  

In view of the partisan discussions that have already ensued following the removal, CODEO strongly recommends to the appointing authorities – the President and the Council of State – not to restrict themselves to the minimum constitutional provisions for appointing leadership to constitutional bodies, such as the Electoral Commission. 

Rather, it urges a broad-based consultative approach, involving multiple stakeholders, including civil society, in the search and subsequent appointment of new officeholders. 

CODEO believes an inclusive and consultative process is in line with good governance  necessary to instill confidence among stakeholders in the next set of leadership of the Commission to foster national cohesion.

SOURCE: Daily Graphic
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