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The Tanzanian opposition has questioned the recent move by the government to rename the electoral commission.
Ghana's vice-president, who is also the presidential candidate of the ruling party, has opposed LGBTQ+ practices, saying they go against his religious faith and the country's cultural norms. Effective Friday, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) will officially be known as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), according to a statement issued by government spokesperson Mobhare Matinyi.
It is the first time Mahamudu Bawumia has publicly disclosed his stance on LGBTQ+, which is currently a major polarising issue in the West African country. It said the change of name aligns with the implementation of the newly enacted electoral laws.
In February, Ghana passed a controversial bill criminalising LGBTQ+ practices and advocacy. But opposition leader Tundu Lissu said the Tanzanian constitution recognises the poll agency as "electoral commission", without the "independent".
Several groups have since mounted pressure on President Nana Akufo-Addo, with some urging him to sign it into law, and others warning that assenting to the bill could result in the loss of much-needed international funding. In an X post, Mr Lissu urged the country's judges and lawyers to help explain if the change of the name was legitimate or whether it was just "political fraud" by the ruling CCM party.
"On the issue of LGBTQ... it is important to note that our cultural and societal norms and values as Ghanaians frown on the practice of homosexuality," Mr Bawumia was quoted by AFP news agency as telling a group of Muslims during Eid celebrations on Thursday. Critics argue that despite the rebranding, the commission remains susceptible to political influence from the ruling party.
"Furthermore, as a Muslim, my view on this matter aligns with the position of my religious faith. My faith is therefore very strictly against the practice of homosexuality. No shades of grey," the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate added. The renaming comes in the wake of a recent legislative amendment aimed at reorganising the functions and structure of the electoral agency in a bid to enhance its efficiency and transparency.
Mr Bawumia also told Reuters news agency that he would continue to oppose LGBTQ+ practices if elected president. The Tanzanian parliament recently approved the electoral bill and was subsequently signed into law by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, local media reported.
Ghana's former president and Mr Bawumia's main challenger in the December presidential polls, John Dramani Mahama, also opposed LGBTQ practices in February, saying they contradict his Christian faith. The East African country is set to hold a general election next year.
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