The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has called on the Electoral Commission to promptly release the timetable for the December 2024 general elections.

Both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have echoed similar concerns, emphasizing the importance of having a roadmap for the elections at this stage to facilitate effective planning by all stakeholders.

National Coordinator of CODEO, Albert Arhin, emphasized that the timely release of the election timetable would allow the Electoral Commission to demonstrate its readiness for the December polls.

He suggested that this action would not only provide assurance to political parties but also indicate that the Electoral Commission is well-prepared, even if the election date were to be in November, as the EC has proposed.

“The only thing that I consider and which the EC should look at seriously is to be able to come out. The timetable for the 2024 election has not come out, and I believe that is the reason why a lot of the smaller parties and the bigger opposition party are dragging their feet.

"By now, that calendar should have been out to convince everybody that they really mean business and that whatever fear is from the opposition is nonexistent," he said while speaking on TopStory on JoyFM on January 31.

Albert Arhin's remarks come in response to apprehensions raised by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and other political parties regarding the feasibility of the Electoral Commission's proposed November 7 date, should it be approved by Parliament.

Mr Arhin emphasized that the key to garnering support and consensus on the proposed change of date lies in the Electoral Commission's provision of clarity regarding its electoral plans.

“I will appeal to them that they should come out now and immediately with the timetable and convince everybody that they will be able to deliver.

"The NDC is saying that why did they not do it around 2017, 2018, 2019 thereabouts when they had time and there was no rush and nothing being done at that time,” he added.

Meanwhile, he stated that during the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting, all parties agreed that the EC should begin the process.

"Some parties in the room [IPAC meeting] were saying that whether it is going to be used for 2024 or not, that thing should be started. The ball should start rolling so that whether we are able to finish or not able to finish, at least by 2028, they should be able to use it," he added.