.....FEARS OVER EC’S NEUTRALITY
...AS COMMISSION’S OFFICER INCITES EWES AGAINST ASHANTIS
The general fear expressed in many constituencies and electoral areas, particularly during and immediately after election results are declared, that members and staff of the Electoral Commission (EC) may not be playing the neutral, unbiased role of a referee in Ghana's political game, is once again gaining credence. This is because of the open side-taking that the electorate is observing on the part of some EC officials as the countdown to 2004 is closely being monitored.

And one such glaring display of unprofessional behaviour was showcased in Dzodze, the constituency capital of Ketu North in the Volta region recently, Chronicle can tell.

The incident which took place during the election of a Town Council chairman, was the tribal incitement of two of the country's most vibrant ethno-political groups, the Ewes and Ashantis, by no less a personality than the district electoral officer, Mr. Emmanuel P. Ashiadey.

The story has it that on Tuesday May 27, this year, Mr. Ashiadey released a bombshell, when in an address to a packed hall of assemblymen, councilors and observers, he delved into tribal politics and pitched the two tribes against each other.

His pronouncement that "You people don't behave the way the Ashantis do. Because you Ewes don't register in your large numbers to enable you cast your votes, that is why the Ashantis have been beating you in elections" nearly marred the day's event as the objections raised divided the house.

The about 40 pairs of ears that heard the E.C. official stoop so low, including a traditional leader who was present as a special guest, were stunned and many of the participants demanded an explanation and apology from the official.

Mr. Kadmus Shidu Ahiable, a councilor promptly queried, "We are all Ghanaians, why do you make that statement?" Another councilor, Mr. J. K. Horlali Dorvlo also retorted, "I think you have an agenda to pursue; and that is why all these ethnic connotations are coming from you of all people".

He also considered the pronouncements too dangerous to be made at a time like this.

Other prominent personalities who found the speech rather offensive and in bad taste included Torgbui Dey III, a divisional chief in town, Mr. David Dogbey, an assembly man, and Mr. George Awunyo, a businessman who eventually got the chairmanship position without a sweat. The unfortunate story was also confirmed by the secretary to the town council, Mr. Charles Adenyo.

In a separate interview with this reporter, Mr. Dorvlo said he does not see any behavioural difference between the Ewes and the Ashantis and finds the assertion unfortunate and inflammatory. He said it can trigger mistrust and possibly violence; and was worried that Mr. Ashiadey did not withdraw the statement the way he ought to. "His apology was not straightforward", he noted.

The official was quoted as merely saying, "as for me I have already said what I mean. Let's take it like that".

George Awunyo, popularly known as "All Brothers", confirmed the uneasy calm at the council hall that day. What he did not understand was why the agendum of the day, an election, was virtually relegated to the background only to begin with tribal politics; and appealed to government officials to desist from taking sides in future.

When Chronicle contacted the district electoral officer in his Denu office he conceded that he does have problems when it comes to interpreting from English into Ewe.

"I speak more English than Ewe and that is sometimes my problem", he added.

Mr. Ashiadey said he was only cautioning the people against complacency when fresh registration starts later in the year. He could, however, not explain why he felt Ashanti, which was hundreds of kilometers away from Dzodze, was the most appropriate example in this situation.

Other related accusations leveled against the official by residents were his questionable behaviour in the last district assembly elections in which he was said to have been hosted by some of the candidates when he toured the electoral areas to mount campaign platforms there; but the embattled Ashiadey denied them all.

The duty of the EC in sustaining the country's infant democracy is so crucial that in order to be seen as refereeing fairly, issues that border on sex, tribe, religion, colour and party affiliation should be handled with every care so that election results will be borne by both winners and losers alike without a pinch of salt.

A resident who would not like to be named felt the credibility of the commission is seriously being dented by some of its field workers. "How can we trust them again in 2004?" he asked rhetorically.