Paul Abrampah of Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) says there is growing skepticism that needs to be addressed if the country's Electoral Commission (E.C) is to gain confidence of politicians and Ghanaians in general.
According to Paul Abrampah, the 2012 presidential election petition has affected the EC, noting that the Commission has "lost credibility" after the hearing.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) sought to use the Supreme Court to overturn the E.C's declaration of John Mahama as winner of 2012 presidential elections.
He said the rulings of some Supreme Court judges identified some challenges in the operations of the Commission. He mentioned problems associated with the recruitment of temporal officers who supervised the polls.
Political parties in the country have also cast doubt on the Electoral Commission’s ability to implement reforms following the challenges which confronted the 2012 polls.
The Commission is headed by Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s Kofi Portuphy, Chairman of People’s National Convention (PNC) Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan and MP for Manhyia East, Dr Matthew Opoku Prepmeh, who spoke for the New Patriotic Party, observed experience has shown that the Commission is not amenable to change.
The NPP MP told Joy FM’s Top Story despite an agreement reached by all parties, E.C refused to go to Parliament with a constitutional instrument that would have allowed Ghanaians abroad to register and vote.
He said his party chairman in 2011, wrote six letters to the Commission. None was acknowledged, he claimed.
He mentioned how the Commission obtained funds to pilot a biometric registration process but was hesitant in doing a national exercise
But the E.C maintains it operates an "open-door policy" that allows the Inter-Party Advisory Committee to make inputs.
Speaking to Joy FM’s Top Story, Paul Abrampah who also works with the Center for Democratic Development (CDD) said irrespective of the outcome of the election petition, it was clear, there were challenges with the E.C that needs to be tackled "holistically".
He said it is time for the E.C to put up a campaign to regain lost confidence.
"E.C will have to put up a good PR to bring back the integrity and respect that people have for it," he said.