Issues of security, concerns over spoilt ballots and the integrity of some electoral officers will dominate this year’s Inter-Party Advisory Committee meeting underway in Akosombo in the Eastern Region. The meeting which is between the country’s political parties and the Electoral Commission (EC) seeks to propose ideas to improve upon the conduct of future elections in the country. Representatives from the various political parties, including the NPP general secretary Nana Ohene Ntow and the NDC general secretary Asiedu Nketiah are participating. The special inter-party discussion is the first since Election 2008 which ushered the ruling NDC into power. Perhaps the massive protest from the country’s biggest opposition party over reports of electoral fraud in certain areas after the elections has added fodder to the need for such a retreat. The NDC also accused the NPP of electoral fraud in some areas, especially, the Ashanti Region, during the election. Speaking to Joy News on Monday Nana Ohene Ntow said it is time the EC took responsibility for all measures, including security, that characterise an election. “One of the big issues to be looked at is the recruitment or appointment of returning officers who would present a very credible image and acceptability to all political parties.” “We are a bit concerned about the position of the Electoral Commission that it is almost totally ambivalent to security concerns even though the Electoral Commission is also part of that arrangement and at the end of the day is responsible for the outcome of the election,” Nana Ntow stressed. The NPP general secretary also urged that collation of ballots be “done in such a way that will improve the integrity of the whole process.” The Democratic Freedom Party shares in the concerns raised by Nana Ntow. According to the general secretary of the party, Bede Ziedeng, future presidential debates must include all presidential aspirants. PNC chairman Alhaji Ahmed Rahmadan said the party believes using the fore-finger for the ballot could reduce the level of spoilt ballots. The deputy chairman of the EC, David Kangah, said the commission has considered the various proposals for a possible review of the electoral process. Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com