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A four-member delegation from the Electoral Commission (EC) on Monday paid a courtesy call on Mr Akwesi Oppong-Ofosu, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development to discuss the upcoming district level elections. The EC also discussed issues relating to office accommodation for its officials in the newly created districts and other issues of national interest. The delegation led by Alhaji Amadu Sule, Deputy Chairman in Charge of Operations include Madam Georgina Opoku Amankwa, Deputy Chairperson in-charge of Finance and Administration; Mr Samuel Tettey, Director of Elections; and Mr Dan Amanyo, an Assistant Director at the Elections Department. Alhaji Sule said the purpose of the visit was to plan together with the Ministry, early arrangements for the district level elections to forestall challenges the commission had always faced in organizing district level elections. He said there were 6,158 electoral areas in the country, adding, "the district election would be organized in all these electoral areas and so we need to plan early." Alhaji Sule said the district level elections was the most difficult in terms of organization and administration, and that the volume of work involved were huge which required early planning. He said there was the need for office accommodation for staff of the EC in the newly created districts to enhance their work and ensure the credibility of the commission. Mr Oppong-Fosu said the EC was doing a very difficult work and urged the citizenry to support the commission in all aspects of their operations. "Everybody criticize the EC of not being fair when elections do not go the way they want it or favour their candidate." Mr Oppong-Fosu said Local Governance should be of concern to every citizen and that the Ministry was interested in dealing with the real challenges facing assembly elections in the country. He said there was the need for competence and people with professional expertise, especially women to develop interest in the district level elections. Mr Oppong-Fosu said lack of understanding between the contestants was a challenge, adding, "The ministry is developing a programme which would get competent and professional people to contest and participate in the election and development of our localities." He said the credibility of the 2016 General Election depended on the upcoming district assembly elections which must be seen as important and that, the ministry would support the EC to achieve its target goals. Mr Oppong-Fosu appealed to staff of the commission to continue to work hard and contribute their quota towards making the country democratic system sustainable. Madam Amankwa thanked the Minister for giving them the opportunity to present their concerns and the responds received from the minister.