Budget slash may affect 2016 elections - EC

The Electoral Commission (EC) has indicated that the slash in its proposed budget will not only affect the number of polling stations for the 2016 elections, but could also have a toll on other activities as the commission gears up for election 2016.

The EC proposed about Ghc1.2 billion in order to successfully conduct the 2016 elections, but government complained of financial constraints and slashed the budget which has also seen the Commission reduce the number of polling stations by 1,000.

Speaking on the Ultimate Breakfast Show hosted by Prince Minkah, Acting Director of Public Affairs Christian Owusu-Parry said the reduction in the proposed budget is not in the interest of the EC.

He says it can affect the effective conduct of the elections considering the number of new persons to be enrolled onto the register and appealed to persons who will spend more time in the queues to vote to in 2016 to contend with the situation.

“The slash of the budget is the direct effect on the reduction in the number of polling stations. We are likely to witness longer queues at some polling stations in 2016. Remember the numbers were increased to do away with longer queues”, he said

He however indicated as the period inches closer if there are any challenges emerging, the EC will meet and find other ways of resolving such issues to ensure that the voting process is not compromised.