Former President Agyekum Kufuor has counseled the Electoral Commission (EC) not to succumb to pressure from political parties but should remain firm, transparent, professional and be decisive to ensure peace in all its electoral activities.
“Do not expect political parties to love you, the constitution enjoins you to be a good referee, ensure the right things are done in the interest of the state, the stability of the nation will depend on your work.
“I believe 2020 will be crucial, many countries look up to the nation, we need to prepare well for events before, during and after, use best practices to conduct elections and be firm.
“Wherever there is power, there is tension because everyone wants to be on top to manage the power, but it is the duty of the referee to ensure fairness and impartiality,” former President Kufuor stressed.
The former president lauded the EC’s transformation agenda and urged the commission to equip staff with requisite training to ensure smooth electoral processes because it was the pivot around which the political system revolved.
Former President Kufuor made this known when Mrs Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of the EC led a team of its commissioners to pay a courtesy call on him in Accra.
Among the team were her two deputies, Samuel Tettey, the Commissioner in-charge of Operations, Dr Bossman Asare, the Commissioner in-charge of Corporate Services and Adwoa Abrefa, a commissioner.
The visit formed part of EC’s efforts to explain its operations and bring the commission closer to stakeholders, as well as afford the commission an opportunity to know at first-hand, the concerns and issues regarding its operations.
The EC’s delegation was received by the former President, Kwadwo Mpiani, the former Chief of Staff and other staff members.
Former President Kufuor expressed confidence and trust in EC to live up to expectation saying, “Within your short stay in office, I am impressed with your work, I feel comfortable with your approach of reaching out to engage with stakeholders, I have been following the EC from afar, I know affairs of the commission is being steered evenly.
“I am not too surprised because I know of your integrity, professionalism and exemplary work contributed to the growth of the Institute of Economic Affairs when you led that body, your agents at the local level must reflect the integrity with which you are working, must do their work without compromising, I encourage you to continue the Inter-Party Advisory Committee meetings and listen to constructive concerns to enhance your work.”
Mrs Mensa said the commission recognised the immense contribution of the former president to political dispensation, hence the decision to visit to seek wise counsel and partnership, and reiterated the poise of the commission to run an open door policy, provide a level playing field to all political parties to ensure credible, transparent, free and fair elections. –GNA
