Some of the participants at the workshop
THE NATIONAL Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) is urging the public to participate massively in the referendum that will pave way for election of district chief executives (DCEs).
The acting Regional Director of the commission, Doris Gbongbo, told participants during a sensitisation workshop in Sunyani that if those who would vote ‘Yes’ do not turn up in their numbers, it would affect plans to have DCEs elected.
The workshop was organised by the Catholic Bishops Conference through Peace and Justice Commission of the church.
On December 17, Ghana will have District Level Election where three different elections will be conducted by the Electoral Commission. They include election of Assembly Members and Unit Committee Members. Besides, there will be the voting of either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ (referendum) to determine whether metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs) should be voted for or continue to be appointed by the President.
During the referendum, if the electorate vote ‘Yes’ it will automatically lead to the repeal of Article 55(3) of the 1992 Constitution to pave the way for DCEs to be elected.
Ms. Gbongbo explained that for DCEs to be elected there is the need for 40% turnout out of which 75% must vote ‘Yes’.
She observed that there had been generally low turnout during district level elections compared to main general elections, saying if that is allowed to continue this time round, it will affect the decision to elect MMDCEs as being proposed by the NPP government.
She cleared the misconception that DCEs were going to be elected on December 17, saying “it is just a vote of ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to determine whether DCEs should be elected or still be appointed by the President.”
The President of Diocesan Justice for Peace Commission in the Catholic Church, Sackey Joseph Edmund, on his part, said the church was not doing partisan politics, but to strengthen democracy through the social teachings of Christ.
“The Catholic Bishops Conference is not asking you to go and vote for ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, but want to educate you on the implication of voting ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ during the referendum,” he added.
FROM Daniel Y Dayee, Sunyani
danielyaodayee@yahoo.com