The Electoral Commission says its members and staff draw strength from service to the nation to enable them withstand all forms of attack on them by some individuals and groups.
Deputy Chairperson for Corporate Services, Georgina Opoku Amankwaa says attempts to vilify and discredit even the commissioners and their work can be demoralizing.
She says such tendencies could discourage many competent people from sacrificing and making available their expertise for national progress.
Ms Opoku Amankwaa spoke exclusively to Nhyira FM in Kumasi.
Members of the E. C have, in recent times, come under public attack, especially from leadership of some political parties.
Presidential aspirant of All People’s Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga, recently used unprintable words on live radio against commission Chairperson, Charlotte Osei.
It followed his disqualification together with 12 others for anomalies in their nomination forms.
Ms Opoku Amankwaa says though such attacks are considered occupational hazards, they could have serious psychological effects on victims.
According to her, though members of the EC sometimes laugh off such attacks, it is however becoming too much, especially the verbal assault on the EC and the vilification of its chairperson, Charlotte Osei for no wrong doing.
With no particular reference to Mr. Ayariga who later apologized for his comments, she says attacking people who work diligently to keep their offices could be demoralizing and do not augur well for Ghana as a nation.
Ms Opoku Amankwaa concedes the commission, like any human institution, is bound to make mistakes, it becomes an issue when it is deliberate.
She, however, maintains it provides no excuse for politicians to pitch their supporters against commissioners and staff.
According to her, comments by political leaders that the EC will rig the elections are unacceptable and could pitch their supporters against the Electoral Commission.
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