Uneasy tension seem to be mounting at the University of Ghana with few days to the election of the next set of leaders for the Legon Chapter of the Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG).
This is as a results of a dog fight currently ongoing between the Electoral Commission and the Rock Ashley led Executive Council.
In a letter sighted by The Evening Mail and signed by the GRASAG President, Mr. Rock Ashley, it stated that the Chairman for the GRASAG EC, Mr. Woelinam Dziewornu-Norvor, has written to the Executive Council indicating his resignation from the position.
Mr. Ashley in the letter stated that “It is with great regret I accept your resignation from your position as Electoral Commissioner. Though I find it hard to understand the reasons leading to your decision, I assure you of my total support in your decisions, now and the future.”
Senators’ Confusion
The letter from the Executive Council sparked debate among senators of the Legon GRASAG especially since the said EC Chairman’s resignation letter alluded to by the president has still not been sighted by senators.
Some of the senators questioned the whereabout of the said resignation letter whiles others questioned why the Chairman will resign with few days to the main election.
Matters became worse when a release indicating modalities for the election came out under the signature of the Electoral Commissioner today April 26, even though the president’s letter stated that the EC chairman’s resignation takes effect from same date.
This further fueled the discussion on whether the EC chairperson has indeed resigned.
Denial by EC
But in a counter statement signed by Bright Azumah, First Deputy Electoral Commisioner, the EC stated that “the office of the Electoral Commission has been copied a letter from the President of GRASAG – LEGON indicating the resignation of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and the subsequent directive for the Chairperson to hand over to the Second Deputy Chair person.
As far as the Electoral Commission is concerned, no member of the Electoral Commission has resigned. The Electoral Commission has not received any resignation letter from any of its members and as such the status quo regarding the composition of the Commission remains.”
“Furthermore, based on Article 13 clause 3A, the Electoral Commission is an independent body subject to the constitution. In light of the spirit and letter of the Constitution, it is not the prerogative of the President or the Executive Council to direct who takes over even in the event that the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission resigns.” The statement added.
Scheduled Meeting With Aspirants.
Meanwhile, information gathered by us indicate that the newly acting EC chairman has already scheduled a meeting with the aspirants. Though the agenda of the meeting is unknown, information gathered by Evening Mail indicate that it is to take a second look at the modalities towards the election.
Resignation After Rejection of Budget
Grapevine report gathered by the Evening Mail indicate that, Mr. Dziewornu-Norvor contemplated resigning from the chairmanship position few hours after the EC’s budget for the election was rejected by the Senate earlier this month.
It is unclear whether he carried out that threat or maybe took steps towards it. But he has been carrying out his normal duties since that time without any sign of resignation.
Below is the letter from the Executive Council
Below is the Response from the EC
🏛 FROM THE OFFICE OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION (GRASAG – LEGON) 🏛
The office of the Electoral Commission has been copied a letter from the President of GRASAG – LEGON indicating the resignation of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and the subsequent directive for the Chairperson to hand over to the Second Deputy Chair person.
As far as the Electoral Commission is concerned, no member of the Electoral Commission has resigned. The Electoral Commission has not received any resignation letter from any of its members and as such the status quo regarding the composition of the Commission remains.
Furthermore, based on Article 13 clause 3A, the Electoral Commission is an independent body subject to the constitution. In light of the spirit and letter of the Constitution, it is not the prerogative of the President or the Executive Council to direct who takes over even in the event that the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission resigns.
The Office of the Electoral Commission will entreat members of GRASAG-LEGON to treat any letter concerning the resignation of the Chair of the Commission and the subsequent response from the President of GRASAG-LEGON as mere rumors.
As it stands the composition of the Electoral Commission is intact and the public should be rest assured that the Electoral Commission will oversee all processes regarding all elections and referenda for GRASAG-LEGON.
Best Regards.
✍🏿 SIGNED ✍🏿: BRIGHT AZUMAH
(1ST DEPUTY ELECTORAL COMMISSIONER)
CC:
THE PRESIDENT
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
SENATE
DEAN OF STUDENTS.
Source: The Evening Mail
