By Alpha Abu
The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis has told a high level parliamentary seminar in Winneba, Ghana that greater attention be given to the issue of constitutional terms by governments in the sub region.
He said while they condemn the military coup in Guinea, serious efforts must be directed at addressing “the new phenomenon of amending the constitution of a state before an election or before the expiration of the tenure of an incumbent President”.
He criticized the practice of amending a constitution to extend the mandate of the governing elite which he said not only disadvantaged the citizens but also undermines “constitutional democracy”.
Dr. Tunis spoke of the threats posed to regional stability and the reputation of ECOWAS over the disconcerting political scenario being played out in recent times.
“If we do not take firm and very decisive actions against this ugly trend, ECOWAS will not be perceived as a body of failed States but will indeed fail”, the ECOWAS Speaker warned.
In reference to the seminar’s theme “Two decades of democratic elections in ECOWAS member states: achievements, challenges and the way forward”, Dr. Tunis said they should move beyond mere condemnation statements by applying harsher penalties against perpetrators of voters’ fraud and other electoral malpractices like disenfranchisement and suppressing free speech. He expressed the hope that the seminar will help in the appraisal of not only “the electoral systems in Member States, but will identify challenges and put forward proposals for possible solutions to the various shortcomings observed in the organisation of elections and other threats to democracy in the region”.
He believed the seminar would also help “identify the deficiencies, as well as good practices for conducting elections in Member States, within the context of existing legal, institutional, and material frameworks”.
He said they would be able to put together recommendations for new frameworks and mechanisms that could improve existing legal, material and institutional frameworks to be used in conducting elections in member states of the regional bloc.
“My sincere anticipation is that at the end of the seminar, Members of Parliament and all participants would have a better understanding of the dynamics of the electoral process and laws as they impact on democratic practices in the ECOWAS region,” he said.
He added: “In the same vein, the seminar would ensure that they have greater appreciation of the practices that are enhancing and deepening participatory democracy and elections. This will set the seal on recommendations for policy frameworks and corrective ethos based on best practices for future adaptation for elections and participatory democracy”, Dr. Tunis stated.
On Mali and Guinea two member states experiencing military rule, the speaker of ECOWAS Parliament urged for adherence to the roadmap set by the body for a return to democratic rule for the former, and for the latter to ensure immediate return to democratic order and parliamentary practices.
He noted the efforts made by regional leaders to settle the political crisis in Guinea and particularly praised President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, “for his 11th October working visit to the Republic of Guinea, to hold discussions with the Military Leadership on the restoration of constitutional order in the Republic and the ECOWAS democratic transition roadmap”.
The seminar which began on Wednesday ends today Friday 15th October. Concerns have been raised in recent times about some leaders in the region who have toyed with the idea of extending their rule by attempting to circumvent or replace laid down constitutionally mandated two –term tenure of office that is predominant in ECOWAS member states. There are fears that such an unbecoming development could undermine democratic tenets and serve as a recipe for chaos.
Copyright © Politico Online 15/10/21
