EC must act to uphold its integrity – Prof. Attafuah

Criminologist Prof. Kenneth Attafuah has asked the Electoral Commission to act swiftly to maintain public confidence in its operations, in the wake of a bribery scandal that has hit key members of the Commission.

The EC was on Monday hit by bribery allegations in which two directors of elections Kofi Asumani and Asante Kissi, are being investigated for accepting GHC 1,600 from disqualified Presidential aspirant of the New Vision Party, Prophet Daniel Nkansah.

They have been charged with the crime of bribery and corruption and are currently on bail.

Prophet Nkansah claimed the officers demanded the money to facilitate the acceptance of his filing papers to enable him contest the elections after he failed to go past the same stage in the 2008 elections. He said he paid only Ghc 1,600 instead of the Ghc 10,000 that the officials initially demanded saying he had video evidence to back his claim.

But speaking on Joy FM Super Morning Show on Tuesday, Prof. Ken Attafuah said the EC has the duty to conduct an independent inquiry into the conduct of the officers involved, in order to affirm public confidence its operations.

He said the EC must conduct strict internal investigations and set the two directors aside.

According to Prof. Attafuah, the EC must demonstrate it is incorruptible even if the officials are found guilty of the charges.

In a related development, the legal practitioner called on the security apparatus to protect the integrity of the Commission, following an allegation that the immediate past National Youth Organiser for opposition New Patriotic Party Anthony Karbo is heard on a tape talking about recruitment of mercenaries to cause chaos in the December elections.

The pro-NDC pressure group, Research and Advocacy Platform Monday introduced to reporters the recording it attributed to Anthony Karbo, who is also contesting the Lawra parliamentary seat on his party’s ticket.

The NPP’s Communications Director, Nana Akomea has told Joy News the party is set to launch investigations into the tape recording.

Nana Akomea said Mr. Karbo had denied any recollection of the said meeting where he is alleged to have made the comments.

However, Prof. Attafuah noted that, even though the NPP had declared its intentions to investigate the matter, it (the NPP) is not a disciplinary authority therefore; the security agency concerned must take the matter up in the interest of the nation.