For the first time, Akufo-Addo expresses confidence in EC

Nana Akufo-Addo has expressed confidence in the Electoral Commission’s (EC) ability to conduct a free and fair polls for the first time since Charlotte Osei was appointed as the EC commissioner.

“She [Mrs. Osei], has made a public commitment to that effect, that she is going to deliver the best-organised election in our history, Akufo-Addo said in a joint interview with Citi FM and Joy FM Friday. “I want to believe her and I have to believe her.”

Since she was appointed in 2015 following the retirement of Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan, she has come in for criticism from some leading members of Akufo-Addo’s party.
They, on multiple occasions, have accused her of trying to manipulate the elections in order to guarantee president John Mahama a second term victory.

But Akufo-Addo has never voiced rejection or approval of the attacks on Charlotte Osei.

Asked in the joint interview why he has never control in his supporters, he explained that members of NPP have their own views on issues, adding that the party has structures to deal with misbehaving members.
The show of confidence in the EC by Akufo-Addo appears to have calm nerves following the show of total lack of confidence from a large section of the party’s support base.

According to Akufo-Addo, his seeming show of confidence in the EC is because “I have to, because I am committed to the process.”

He added: “I don’t believe in her [Mrs. Osei]. I believe in the institution; the Electoral Commission. It is an important institution in our country and all of us are required to give it our best possible support.”