EC must work with all to make polls transparent - Dr. Aryee

The Reverend Dr. Ms. Joyce Aryee, Founder of the Salt and Light Ministries, has added to calls for the Electoral Commission (EC) to work with all key political actors to build confidence in the electoral process.

It should take urgent steps to resolve any disagreements over the electoral roll and the voter registration exercise ahead of the 2016 general elections.

The electoral body, she said, should not do anything that would give credence to the perception of unfairness and a lack of transparency, warning that, this could ignite trouble.

The Rev Dr. Aryee, who served as Secretary of Information and later Education, under the Jerry Rawlings-led Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC), was speaking at the launch of the Students Representative Council (SRC) week celebration of the College of Technology Education (COLTEK), University of Education Winneba (UEW), in Kumasi.

She stated that issues creating doubts about the credibility of the voters register should neither be dismissed nor taken lightly.

“Ensuring violence free during the 2016 election. The role of COLTEK student” is the theme chosen for this year’s event.

The Rev Dr. Aryee noted that in any elections, conflicts and disagreement would arise but said these must be efficiently managed to prevent matters from escalating and exploding into violent clashes.

She used the occasion to counsel the youth to refuse to be associated with anything evil and likely to mar the peace.

They, should not allow themselves to be manipulated by the politicians to create confusion.

Dr. Joseph Mbawuni, Lecturer at the College’s Faculty of Business Education, expressed concern about electoral violence that had in recent times characterized student elections in the various universities.

He said it was important that students demonstrated that they could conduct free, fair and peaceful elections on their campuses to help translate that into the national arena.

Professor Reynolds Okai, Principal of the College, advised the youth to see the 2016 elections as a battle for their future and work to ensure it became peaceful.