Parliament has no business in resolving rift between EC Commissioners – Haruna Iddrisu

Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu has questioned the legitimacy of parliament to attempt resolving a simmering rift between chairperson of the Electoral Commission Charlotte Osei and other Commissioners of the EC.

Leadership of Parliament has scheduled a meeting with Mrs Osei and the Commissioners on Wednesday to resolve rift arising out of allegations of corruption and mismanagement against the two parties.

Per the Order Paper of the House, the leadership would seek to resolve “the apparent rift between the Chairperson and some other Members of the Commission; and the impasse between the Chairperson and staff of the Commission.” The meeting is set to take place in the afternoon of Wednesday, “immediately” after the House adjourns sitting for the day.

But ahead of the said meeting, Mr Iddrisu argued Parliament has no business whatsoever to intervene in the matter, especially so when a petition against Mrs Osei has been referred to the Chief Justice for action to be taken on it.

Mr iddrisu made the comment when the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joe Osei-Owusu prevented him from asking the Mrs Osei a question in Parliament when she appeared to answer some questions on fees charged journalists during the December 2016 elections.

The Speaker indicated that the question asked by the Minority leader bothers on an issue that the leadership of the House would later try to resolve at a meeting with the Mrs Osei and the other Commissioners.

But Mr Iddrisu disagreed with him ground his argument on the fact that the said meeting would be “Moot” the issues had been referred to the Chief Justice. Background The electoral body has been in turmoil for the past week following allegations and counter allegations involving some Mrs Charlotte Osei, Commissioners of the EC and some anonymous staff of the Commission.

There have been allegations of corruption and breaches of the law leveled against Mrs Osei in a petitioned submitted to President Akufo-Addo by some staff who remains anonymous.

Mrs Osei issued a statement to respond to allegations, and made counter allegations against her two deputies, Mr. Amadu Sulley, and Mrs. Georgina Amankwah.

The two deputy commissioners have, however issued a rejoinder denying the allegations. These allegations and counter accusations have triggered calls for cool heads at the Electoral Commission while others have asked for a dissolution of the Commission considering how sensitive it is.