Politics of Friday, 19 February 2016

Source: peacefmonline.com

NDC will win even if Akufo Addo chairs EC - Kofi Adams

Kofi Adams, National Organizer of NDC. Kofi Adams, National Organizer of NDC.

National Organizer of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Kofi Adams has said that the “noise” being made by the political pressure group ‘Let My Vote Count Alliance’ (LMVCA) over the appointment of certain perceived NDC personalities on the EC’s Steering Committee is much ado about nothing.

He strongly believes the inclusion of those NDC personalities serving on the EC’s Steering Committee and even the Electoral Commissioner, Madam Charlotte Osei have no power to influence Ghanaians to vote in a certain direction.

The pressure group is claiming some members on the electoral body's Steering Committee makes it bias, thereby calling for the dissolution of the Steering Committee unless it is prepared to involve all the political parties.

But Kofi Adams on Okay FM’s 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show wondered how the EC’s task force whose mandate has nothing to do with the printing of the ballot papers can obstruct the chance of any political party in the 2016 general elections.

“EC Boss does not influence the way electorates vote during elections. . . the members of the EC’s Steering Committee are not there to print ballot papers, but they have been called to assist in educating their respective institutions on election matters,” he asserted.

He pointed out that even the presiding officers at the polling stations have no role to play in how Ghanaians should vote unless the voter requests the assistance of the presiding officer to help out in voting.

He added, it is the sole responsibility of the agents of the various political parties to protect the interest of their parties and ensure the right electoral processes are done during voting and counting at the various centers to avoid rigging.

“Even if the Electoral Commissioner is a political figure, there is nothing he or she can do to destroy the chance of any political party. The noise is much ado about nothing,” he averred.

“The presence of Madam Charlotte Osei cannot influence the way Ghanaians will vote in 2016 elections; EC only facilitate the printing of ballot papers and not how and which direction people should vote . . . look, Akufo-Addo can step down as NPP Flagbearer to chair the electoral commission, the NDC will win hands down,” he insisted.

He therefore placed on record that the NDC did not have any role to play in Dr. Arhin’s nomination; thus though he is an NDC activist, he was nominated by the National Service Secretariat where he works.