EC doing the bidding of NDC - NPP accuses

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Charlotte Osei, of doing the bidding of the governing National Democratic Congress after three partisan names were included in a non-partisan committee formed by the EC. According to deputy NPP General Secretary, Nana Obiri Boahen, it cannot be sheer coincidence that three known NDC persons were appointed to a new committee formed by the EC to deepen the credibility of the general elections. Known as the Steering Committee and chaired by the EC, the 18-member body was inaugurated last week. The NPP has pointed out three names it believes undermine the credibility of the Committee.

 Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Service Scheme (NSS) in-charge of Finance and Administration, Dr. Karl Mark Arhin was named in the list of partisan persons. Although he was to represent the NSS on the committee, the NPP has pointed out Arhin's partisan roots. Arhin was an aspiring 2016 parliamentary candidate of the NDC for the Amenfi Central constituency a former deputy International Relations Director and also a Deputy Elections Director of the NDC. But he has reportedly excused himself from the committee.

He is not the only member on the Committee whose credibility has been questioned. The appointment of Francis Azumah of the Peace Council who is believed to be a member of the NDC in the Builsa North constituency has also been questioned by pro-NPP group Let My Vote Count Alliance (LMVCA). Azumah is said to have lobbied for the position of DCE in Builsa. A lawyer and Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ, Joseph Whittal, has also been pointed out as a known NDC loyalist. But political parties; Progressive Peoples’ Party (PPP) and People's National Convention as well as the NPP, have expressed surprise about the setting up of the Committee.

The three parties have been singing the same chorus that the move by the EC could chip away the credibility of Charlotte Osei. The PPP said the partisan inclusion of NDC members “throws into doubt the integrity of this whole committee.” He said those who believe Charlotte Osei is in bed with the NDC. “It is all about perception and those who hold that perception to them it is reality”. But in a no holds barred posture, the NPP has concluded this Committee is fresh evidence that Charlotte takes instructions from the governing party.

 “It was the NDC that prepared the list and handed it over to Charlotte Osei pure and simple”, Nana Obiri Boahen stressed on Joy FM’s Top Story Wednesday. He also questioned the legitimacy of the committee which NPP campaign manager, Peter Mac Manu, has also branded as “bogus”. The NDC was however expressed surprise about the existence of the committee and the inclusion of some of its members. “NDC has nothing to do with the steering committee. We don’t know anything about this steering committee thing” Deputy General Secretary George Lawson said.