EC appeals to parties appoint good agents

Takoradi, April 30, GNA - Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), on Wednesday appealed to political parties to recruit qualified people to act as agents for parties and candidates before, during and after the election.

"A vigilant, energetic and knowledgeable party and candidate agents must ensure fairness at all polling centres but not the use of macho men and others to intimidate voters."

He said this at a day's forum organised by the EC and sponsored by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and the KAB Governance Consult for representatives of all political parties in the Western Region. He said an enlightened agent would not resort to acts that could sabotage the essence of the election.

"A party agent's work is not a job for the boys and it would be detrimental for any party to go to pick people from shanty towns to act as their agents" he said.

Dr. Afari-Gyan said all stakeholders must partner the EC in the discharge of its duties and advised political parties to be vigilant and take advantage of all opportunities provided by the EC.

He said all political parties must observe and utilise the dispute handling processes at the district levels instead of rushing to the media.

Miss Eunice Roberts, EC officer in charge of the Western Region, appealed to the political parties to know the legal framework of elections to enable them educate their followers before the election. She said the police and other security agencies would be present at all the 21,000 polling stations, to protect the people, ballot box and materials.

"It would be wrong to fight these security personnel who are there to ensure law and order," she said.