Ghana Opposition Rejects Bid To Change Election Date

John Mahama, leader of Ghana’s opposition National Democratic Congress party, gestures as he speaks during an interview in Accra, Ghana.

The opposition says the proposal not in good faith.

Ghana’s opposition presidential candidate John Mahama has opposed a proposal for the general elections to be brought backwards to November from December this year.

The Electoral Commission (EC) said the proposal, initially put forward by the political parties, aimed to allow sufficient time for the commission to effectively manage its operations, particularly in the event of a run-off.

However, Mr Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party candidate, said the proposed date change for the general elections was not feasible.

“We do not believe that this is being proposed in good faith,” Mr Mahama said on Saturday, accusing the commission of lack of preparedness.

The former president urged the commission to get its house together to ensure credible polls.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church had also petitioned the commission to move the election day from the regular day of 7 December because it falls on Saturday, its day of worship.

The commission is also considering designating all election days as national holidays to help boost turnout.

It is unclear if the new proposals are linked to the church’s petition.

BBC/Jide Johnson.