The National Electoral Commission has disclosed that it was never contacted or informed about plans to submit to parliament a bill for the state funding of political parties.

Deputy Chairman of the Commission, David Adenze Kanga told Acra-based JoyFM that the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), which is championing the bill, did not make any attempt to consult them.

The bill has been drafted a consultations have began with the political parties in preparation for it to be submitted to parliament. But the Commission, which is the constitutionally mandated body to deal with political parties in the country says it is regrettable that the IEA failed to consult them.

Mr. Kanga said the EC initiated the campaign to get state funding for the parties and therefore expected the IEA to consult them so they can share with them what information they have been able to gather during a nationwide tour they did over the issue.

President John Agyekum Kufuor leaves Accra on Friday night for Ottawa, Canada, for a two-day official visit. During the visit, he would engage in bilateral talks with Canadian Prime Minister, Mr Stephen Harper and the Governor-General, Ms Michaelle Jean.

A press release signed by Mr Andrew Awuni, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman, said President Kufuor would also meet with officials of ALCAN, the multi-national aluminium company, which had proposed to build a bauxite refinery in Ghana to refine the vast deposits of the mineral. It said from Canada, he would continue to New York, United States, to participate in the 62nd General Assembly of the United Nations. President Kufuor is scheduled to address the Assembly on September 25, 2007. He returns on Friday, September 28.