Former president J.A Kufour is calling on the EC to create a fair and balanced atmosphere for the conduct of election 2012. The Electoral Commission has come under a barrage of criticism from various interest groups including leading opposition party members, over the decision to create 45 new constitutions ahead of the December elections. Members of the Minority in Parliament on Monday walked out during deliberations on the first of the mandatory 21 sitting days required for the maturation of the Legislative Instrument (L.I77) giving legal backing for the creation of the new constituencies. Addressing a cross-section of the youth from around the country at a three day workshop organized by his foundation, the J.A Kufour Foundation in collaboration with the International Republic Institute, Mr. Kufour noted that any lack of fairness to parties contesting in the 2012 elections, could spark unnecessary tension and violent acts for the country. The former President noted that “the national constitution says the Electoral Commission must be independent of the Executive, independent of the legislature and independent everybody. So the referee will there as somebody who is there to see to the success of the process from the beginning to the end". “If we will have peaceful elections this year, it will depend on how the referee conducts itself above all”, Mr. Kufuor stressed. He urged the participants to take advantage of the opportunities the Foundation presents to them, and learn more about leadership in order to influence their peers on campuses in other parts of the country.