EC’s neutrality must be total and non-negotiable – Bishop

The Electoral Commission (EC), the body responsible for the conduct of elections in the country, has been asked to stay true to the core values of impartiality, transparency and fairness in the performance of its constitutional mandate.

The Right Reverend Hayford Aduse-Poku, Methodist Bishop of the Obuasi, said this was important to win public trust, confidence and support.

It is the way forward to remove suspicion and calm political tension ahead of the November 7 presidential and parliamentary polls.

He was speaking at a service held to bring the curtains down on a week-long crusade held in the gold mining town of Obuasi by the diocesan church to pray for peaceful elections.

Bishop Aduse-Poku said although the church “has no political party preference”, it was eager to see that the right things were done to ensure free, fair and credible polls, the outcome of which would be acceptable to all.

Everybody must accept to act properly and avoid anything that could snowball into nasty clashes, he added.

He also touched on the growing public resentment – manifested in strike actions and street protests and said Christians needed to pray for God’s intervention and continued gift of enduring peace.

He encouraged the people not to give in to cynicism but to have self-belief and remain hopeful of better times ahead.

Bishop Aduse-Poku asked political leaders to seek God’s guidance in whatever steps they took.

Source: GNA