Politics of Friday, 15 April 2016

Source: classfmonline.com

I have confidence in EC – Nduom

Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom Founder of the Progressive People Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom Founder of the Progressive People

Founder of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom has indicated that he believes the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana will institute the right measures for the 2016 elections.

Dr Nduom admitted that even though the Commission had failed to address grievances of some political parties and had been unable to implement all the recommendations of the five-member panel it set up to look into calls for a new voter’s register, he still had faith in the commission.

“The day I say that I have no confidence in the EC, that is the day I give up being part of the political process. So, I can only keep my hopes alive,” he told Emefa Apawu on Class FM’s 505 news programme, Friday April 15.

Dr Nduom lamented that the EC does not address certain key issues raised by stakeholders towards achieving an efficient, fair, and transparent electoral process, but that will not deter him from persevering to ensure that the right things were done.

According to him, it was quite obvious that “often times the EC and his people look at you with a blunt face and you can tell that whatever you are saying to them is not penetrating some wall”.

Citing an example of one of his frustrations, he recounted how the EC refused to even send the PPP a response after making some suggestions to improve the electoral process after the 2012 elections.

According to him, “Right after the 2012 polls, we sent a letter to the EC about the conduct of the elections and made recommendations on how to improve the process. They did not even bother to favour us with a response. But we are still prevailing.”

He indicated that they would persevere with the conviction that the EC officials would do the right things towards the November 7 presidential and parliamentary polls to ensure a peaceful process.