The Electoral Commission is confident it will meet the November deadline for the 2016 general elections.
Despite the challenges with the voter’s register and fear of lack of funds for the elections, representatives of the Commission told Parliament’s Legal and Constitutional Committee of Parliament, Wednesday, they will be ready by the November deadline.
But the optimism of the Commission is not shared by some members of the Legal and Constitutional Committee of Parliament.
Joy News is learning that members of the committee are divided over the EC’s preparedness.
While some members of the minority doubt the EC’s capability to meet the deadline, those on the Majority side of the House are confident the EC will be able to meet the new November deadline set.
A deputy ranking member on the committee Ben Abdallah told Joy News’ Parliamentary correspondent, Elton Brobbey, he doubts if the EC will be able to meet the November deadline.
“Now people are raising issues with respect to the credibility of the voters register. People are raising issues with respect to whether in terms of finances the EC is prepared to organise the 2016 elections.
“If the constitution amendment is effected, will the EC be able to implement the law, in view of the numerous challenges that have bedeviled the EC?” he asked.
According to him, even if the current Constitutional Instrument (CI) is passed into law, the EC will have to return to Parliament with another CI, to fix a specific date for the election.
That CI, he added will take another 21 days to mature before that too will become law.
As if all that is not enough, Ben Abdallah stated the House is expected to rise on July 29, a situation he contends makes it difficult for the EC to conclude its activities before November 7.
He would rather the EC is realistic and honest about the who issue.
But the Vice chairman of the committee, George Loh says the EC has assured the Committee of its preparedness to go along with the November 7 date and he has no reason to doubt that.
