Civil Society groups warn PM not to tamper with Guinea’s run-offs
25th August 2010 · 0 Comments
Civil society organisations in Guinea are up in arms against the civilian Premier Jean-Marie Dore for attempting to fidget with the constitution days ahead of the presidential run-off.
“Any attempt to modify the text will be considered a serious violation and could lead to grave consequences,” warned a weekend statement by an umbrella group, the Organisation for the Defence of Human Rights and the Citizens in Guinea.
Dr Thierno Maadjou Sow, who is the chairman of the group, said it was “absolutely wrong” on the part of the prime minister to make any constitutional modifications at this “very critical period.”
In a draft decree which leaked to the press on Saturday, Premier Doré said the modification would allow the electoral commission to jointly organise the run-off with the Ministry of Territorial Administration.
The ministry supervises regional governors, district commissioners and assistant district commissioners.
Premier Doré argued that when endorsed, the decree will help prevent the discrepancies that tainted the first round election of 27 June.
During the first round, there were allegations of fraud which brought a delay in announcing the results. They also saw violent confrontations in several parts of the country.
Subservient obedience
But in his statement Dr Sow argued that the governors, commissioners and assistant commissioners as well as other local officials had always remained “subservient and obedient during lections.”
This, he further argued, “had culminated in elections not been fair, transparent, free or democratic and therefore never credible.”
Dr Sow reminded the Premier that Article 152 of the Constitution stipulates that only the President of Guinea and the lawmakers could make provisions for constitutional revision under specific circumstances.
Furthermore, the statement said. “even the (incumbent) President of the Transition can in no way and in whatever form, change the constitution or the electoral laws.”
Dr Sow therefore urged interim leader General Sekouba Konate “not to be distracted by those whose secret dream is to plunge Guinea back into chaos.”
In less than a month to the run-off set for 19 September, allegations have been made that most of the members of the electoral commission were favourably disposed to the first placed winner Mr Cellou Dalien Diallo.
Prime Minister Dore had previously been seen to be supportive of the second-placed winner, Prof. Alpha Condé. Only those two candidates qualified for the run-off election.
© 2010, Wilfred Kabs Kanu. All rights reserved. Discuss this article on the Salone Forum Salone Forum
