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| Government Proposee early Election |
12/17/2008 |
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Government is proposing a change in the electoral time table to allow for a thorough transition in the event of a run-off election in future. The 1992 constitution mandates that elections be held on the 7 of December every four years, with the handing over ceremony performed a month later. That gives more time for the transition team to compare notes. However in the event of an election run-off, as has been the case in the 2000 and 2008 elections, the transition period is shortened to just a week with little time for transition.
With the current constitution administered for 16 years, government says there is the need for a change not in political power but election date.
Chief of Staff Kwadwo Mpiani said that government, as part of its handing over notes has proposed early election for incoming administrations to be well briefed during the transition period. Deputy General Secretary of the NDC Elvis Afriyie Ankrah admitted the move by government was in the right direction. While agreeing with Kojo Mpiani for an early election, he also proposed that handing over ceremony be shifted backwards, all in an effort for a comprehensive transition. In spite of the seven-day transition period, Elvis Ankrah believes Prof. Atta Mills is ready to administer the affairs of the country if he wins the December 28 run-off.
Meanwhile, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, campaign manager of the NPP presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo says his party is concentrating on winning the presidency first, and the discussions about the transition will follow suit. He however suggested that elections be held the first Tuesday in November of an election year, with the run-off held three weeks later, if it became necessary. Asked how different it would be for the incumbent Kufuor government to hand over power to the NPP candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, Mr. Lamptey noted everything would be done as if a new government was taking over power.
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