Settle all disputes in court – NCCE urges politicians
Mr Hussein Sulemana Haruna, Upper West Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has called politicians to go to the law court to settle all electoral disputes.
He said political parties are to contest and win elections and not to incite violence which has the potential of disrupting national order.
Mr Haruna said this at a day’s workshop to sensitise political parties and individuals on the need to ensure a violence-free elections come December 7.
The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) organised the workshop on the theme, ‘Empowering the Youth to Stand for Ghana for a Peaceful Election 2016” with financial support from the European Union (EU).
Mr Haruna, who spoke on the topic: “Code of conduct for political parties and directive principle of state policy”, said multi-party democracy was the best way of electing competent leaders and sustaining effective democracy.
He cautioned political parties and their supporters against the use of intemperate language, deceit, misinformation and vilification of public officials in their campaign messages with disregard for public order.
Mr Annoh Jackson, the Wa Municipal Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), said elections is not only about casting votes, but it is a cumulative process.
He said the stages in this process, includes registration of voters, voter register exhibition and filing of nomination, among others.
Mr Annoh said election could be judged as free and fair when the electorates were free to contest elections of any kind, join and campaign for any party of their choice, and cast their vote secretly in a violent free environment devoid of intimidation, bribery and rigging.
He said to deem an election as free and fair, the electoral procedures, rules and regulations must not discriminate against any person or group of persons, adding: “they must be easy to be understood, interpreted and implemented by all”.
He urged the general public and key players, including the EC, security agencies, media, judiciary and political parties to play their roles appropriately and devoid of bias to ensure that the 2016 general election is free and fair.
Mr Annoh said there is the need for party agents to be present and vigilant at the polling stations to report any electoral irregularities that may arise.
Detective Inspector Godfred Wiredu of the Wa Municipal Police Criminal Investigation Department said the freedom was not absolute and all must be mindful of public order and conscious of the rights of others in the exercise of their rights.
Representatives from the New Patriotic Party, National Democratic Congress, Convention People’s Party, People’s National Congress and Heads of Departments attended the workshop.
Similar workshops would be organised in 40 districts throughout the country.
Source: GNA