Controversies at EC as Joe Wise backs appointment of NPP sympathizer to EC position

The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, has backed the controversial appointment of a known sympathiser of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Peter Appiahene, to the EC position.

According to him, this is not a new development, as some top EC officials have engaged in partisan politics and even run for elections on the ticket of a political party in the country.

The Bekwai MP, who failed to disclose the person’s identity, observed that although the tenure of the said individual is about to expire, she discharged her duties creditably and was not influenced by her political leanings.

His comments come on the back of calls by some Civil Society groups, including CODEO, the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and some well-meaning Ghanaians asking President Akufo-Addo to revoke the appointment of Dr Appiahene because he’s politically tainted.

But Joewise says such calls are unfounded.

Speaking to Kumasi-based Oyerepa TV, he asked those making such calls to focus on the competence and credibility of Dr Appiahene and not his political colouration insisting that he (Dr Appiahene) will not be able to manipulate the outcome of the electoral results.

“They are focusing on form and not substance. The important thing is the man’s integrity; so far, I haven’t had anyone questioning that. So let’s focus on the substance. There are some people who, despite their political affiliations, will always uphold the law,” he told morning show host Kwesi Parker-Wilson.

“The people currently in (at the EC) have even contested elections on a party’s ticket. I won’t go back because the person has served all these while and is almost at the retiring age, and there were/are no issues regarding her performance. I don’t want politics of equalisation, but the person has served, and nobody doubted her integrity. We make mountains out of molehills. We need to ask ‘which kind of person is Dr Appiahene? Is his integrity in doubt?’” he quizzed.

The Bekwai MP further observed that Electoral commissioners have no power over the outcome of the results and argued that presiding officers at the various polling stations are the ones who can influence the results if party agents are not vigilant enough.

Citing the appointment of Madam Charlotte Osei, Joewise noted that she (Charlotte) could not have over-tuned the outcome of the 2016 elections after the electorate voted massively for Nana Addo.

“I recall the agitation that greeted the appointment of Charlotte Osei; she couldn’t influence the outcome of the results when Akufo-Addo won. Afari Gyan said he was the last person to see the results, so he cannot do anything to change the result.”

Source: thenewsroomonline