EC Criticised For Not Giving Priority To Venerable During  Elections 2016


A survey carried out by Child Rights International on December 7, shows that persons with children under five, pregnant and nursing mothers did not enjoy promises made by the EC during electioneering. 

In view of this, the Organisation has recommended that the EC in future elections must ensure that its polling station officials respect the laws made by the Commission on these vulnerable people to practically reflect the rights of children. 

Though the Electoral Commission promised to provide total voting privileges to certain people such as person's with disability, nursing mothers and pregnant women, the situation on the day of election did not reflect the promise. 
 
Radio Ghana’s Ewurabena Paha reports that welfare principle section two clauses two of the children's act 1998 states that the best interest of the child shall be the primary consideration by any court, person, institution or any other body in any matter related to the child. 

This law guided the electoral commission to priorities pregnant and nursing mothers in the just ended election. 
The commission made provision for such person's to be given swift attention on the day of election. 

However, Child Right International said the directives by the commission were not respected by the polling station officials on Election Day. 

The survey congratulated the security services for protecting children in violent prone areas and  recommended that the EC in future elections ensures that its officials respect the rights of children who are brought to the polling stations by providing their mothers with quick services.


GBC