Friday , March 29 2024

THE PROCEDURE USED IN THE DISMISSAL OF THE E.C AND HER DEPUTIES IS COMPREHENSIVE- FORMER LEGISLATOR

Former Legislator for Berekum Constituency in the Brong Ahafo Region, Hon. Kwame Nkrabea Effah-Dartey, has indicated that the procedure used in the removal of the Chair of the Electoral Commission (E.C) and her two deputies is “comprehensive”.

He further explained that since an E.C Chair is like a court of Appeal’s Judge, there are steps the constitution prescribes in her dismissal.

According to Captain Effah-Dartey (Rtd), “the initial step is the submission of a petition to the President, who further submits it to the Chief Justice, since he has no right to read the contents of the petition”.

“The Chief Justice goes ahead to read the petition, to decide whether or not ‘the petition makes sense’. In the case of Mad. Charlotte Osei, the Chief Justice concluded that the charges levelled against her were serious and needed to be investigated. Hence, the constitution permits a committee to be set up which is chaired by a Supreme Court judge who goes through the petition and, no pressmen are allowed except for the E.C and their lawyers. The investigative report is therefore submitted back to the Chief Justice, who has no right to go through its contents but to channel it to the President. In turn, he finalises the procedure by publishing it”.

Hon. Effah-Dartey made these informed statements on the ‘Omanbapa Kasa’ Morning Show on Pink FM with host, Kofi Asamoah Aning. He said that the President has no authority in the final decision of the investigative committee and is bound to accept whatever may be the outcome. Hence he, Hon. Dartey, disagreed with the fact that, Mad. Osei was unfairly dismissed but rather, she was given a fair hearing.

The Former MP further insinuated that, he does not believe the E.C Chair was removed from her post due to issues she has with the NPP as the MP for South Dayi Hon. Nelson Defeamekpor claims.

Source: Elizabeth Adomah/Sarah Appiah/ Bernice Amoakoah/ pinkfmonlinegh.com.

 

 

 

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