Election Watch Ghana demands retraction from Justice Emile Short over statement ‘backing’ EC

Pressure group Election Watch Ghana (EWG) is demanding a retraction from former Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) Justice Francis Emile Short over recent comments attributed to him.

The retired judge is said to have blamed political parties for the recent standoff with the country’s elections-management body, Electoral Commission, regarding its programmes.

He indicated that the parties fail to attend IPAC meetings, where most of the consensus regarding the programmes and policies are reached.

But in a statement on Wednesday, July 31, signed jointly by convenors Jude Balma and Mark Ewusi Arkoh, EWG expressed shock and dismay at Justice Emile Short’s stance.

“As a former Justice, he should know better than to absolve the EC of its responsibilities,” it stated.

“The EC’s deliberate errors and refusal to be transparent are well-documented and have been widely condemned by political parties and stakeholders.”

It described Justice Emile Short’s comments as an attempt to shift blame onto the parties and a “clear deflection” from the EC’s failures.

“We are disappointed that Justice Short has been wrongfully briefed or has little knowledge of the current happenings at IPAC.

“His comments demonstrate a lack of understanding of the issues at hand and the concerns of political parties and stakeholders.

“Transparency and accountability are not optional; they are essential components of a credible electoral process.”

Election Watch Ghana says it will not be silenced nor distracted by any attempts whatsoever to justify the EC’s actions.

“We will continue to push for a credible and transparent electoral process that serves the interests of all Ghanaians.”

It urged the former CHRAJ Commissioner to seek broader engagement with stakeholders rather than relying on “pockets of inaccurate briefs”.

Source:onuaonline.com