The NCCE Chairperson told the Ghana News Agency in an interview at Tema on Tuesday that, the December 17 Referendum was only to determine whether we want political parties to participate in district level governance or not.

Ms Nkrumah explained that; "the Referendum is only about Ghanaians voting either YES to allow political parties to participate in District Level Elections or NO to let the status quo prevail where political parties do not participate in district level elections".

She said December 17 Referendum is to enable citizens to vote on the proposed amendment of Article 55 (3) of the 1992 Constitution that currently bars political parties from participating in District Level Elections (DLEs).

Article 55 (3) states that: "...Subject to the provisions of this Article, a political party is free to participate in shaping the political will of the people, to disseminate information on political ideas, social and economic programmes of a national character, and sponsor candidates for elections to any public office other than to District Assemblies or lower local government units".

She explained that this is an entrenched provision which can only be amended through a Referendum which per Article 290(4) can be approved when at least 40 per cent of persons entitled to vote, vote at the referendum and at least 75 per cent of the persons who vote cast their votes in favour of passing the bill.

The NCCE Chairperson noted that on December 17, every electorate was required to undertake three basic steps when he or she entered the polling stations to vote: first the electorate was expected to vote for at most five candidates as Unit Committee members and secondly again vote for one candidate as Assembly Member.

The third activity before one leaves the polling station was to vote either Yes for or No for the Referendum, "these are the basic things to do on December 17, in conformity with all electoral laws of the country".

Ms Nkrumah noted that the amendment to the 1992 Constitution to allow the electorate to elect Metropolitan, Municipal, or District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) was currently before Parliament and as soon as it was done, "we will then elect our MMDCEs".