GJA Elections Dispute Adjudication Committee To Submit Findings By 4th March 2022
In a statement signed by Chairperson of the Committee, Madam Maria Kyei, and copied to the Soireenews.com, the committee noted that under Article 44(a) of the Constitution of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) 2004, the current Elections Dispute Adjudication Committee (EDAC) was set up in the first quarter of 2021 to adjudicate election-related matters of 2021 elections.
Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu Greater 
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Elections Dispute Adjudication Committee (EDAC) has set aside March 4, 2022, to submit its findings/ report of the matter.
In a statement signed by Chairperson of the Committee, Madam Maria Kyei, and copied to the Soireenews.com, the committee noted that under Article 44(a) of the Constitution of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) 2004, the current Elections Dispute Adjudication Committee (EDAC) was set up in the first quarter of 2021 to adjudicate election-related matters of 2021 elections.
The statement dated Friday, February 18, 2022, stated that the Committee's work was however truncated by a suit filed in the Edmund High Court by a member concerning the tenure of office of the Executive and the conduct of the said JGA elections.
According to the statement, the Court however referred the case back to the Association for internal settlement as per Article 1 1 (f) of the GJA Constitution.
The statement pointed out that parties to the suit however resorted to the settlement agreement outside the authority of the EDAC, and under the management of a newly formed Elections Supervisory Committee (ESC).
The statement said the outcomes of the ESC resolution were subsequently disputed and referred to the EDAC in mid-November 2021 through petitions filed by the three GJA Presidential candidates respectively.
Thereafter, the statement pointed out that the Elections Dispute Adjudication Committee formally commenced its work in November 2021 relating to the forthcoming JGA elections in particular.
According to the statement, the EDAC has since begun its investigations towards establishing the veracity of the claims made and the credibility of the GJA Voters Register as is and/or related matters.
The statement indicated that this is to safeguard the integrity of the final GJA Voters Register that will be fundamental to the conduct of elections for the Association.
It noted that the process has been painstakingly slow, but is an exercise intended to thoroughly investigate the claims and counterclaims made, gather requisite evidence and data from the GJA and interested parties to buttress the claims, and assist in the verification and evaluation of the evidence available to the Committee.
The statement asserted that the EDAC has since held a series of formal hearings with affected and key parties.
So far, the statement pointed out that the Committee has engaged all petitioners, the GJA Elections Committee, key administration personnel, former officers of the Association, relevant stakeholders, and parties that have a bearing on the successful conduct of the forthcoming elections.
The investigation process has been fraught with delays in the submission of relevant documentary evidence requested by this Committee to ascertain claims, allegations, or statements made by the Association and the petitioners, individually or collectively.
The EDAC, therefore, urges representatives of the Association to promptly comply with such requests to enable the Committee to expedite the decision-making process.
"We appreciate the urgency of the current situation and are equally concerned about the delay in conducting the GJA elections and will do our best to ensure the Committee's decision is given on, or before the 4th of March 2020," the statement noted.
According to the statement, the committee also calls for calm among the general membership of the Association and all interested parties, as we undertake this onerous Assignment.
"We crave the indulgence of all parties to allow the Elections Dispute Adjudication Committee to get to the bottom of the matter as desired," the statement said.
