IPP to sue IEA over Presidential debate 2012

PRESS RELEASE

BY THE INDEPENDENT PEOPLE’S PARTY (IPP),

THE INSTITUTE OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS (IEA)

PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE SERIES ON FEBRUARY 16, 2012

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), on Tuesday February 7, 2012 launched its

pre-election debate series for election 2012 with theorganizationof three

presidential debates high on the agenda.

We of the Independent People’s Party (IPP) consider it as our rights to vehemently

protest the IEA on the criteria for selecting political parties for the debate on

the following grounds;

1. That if the IEA is committed to strengthening the pillars of the country’s

democracy, i.e. free fair, peaceful and transparent elections, then they (IEA) must

recognize and promote the interest and the existence of all registered political

parties.

2. That if the Pre-Election Presidential debate is to promote dialogue between

presidential candidates on their policies and to enable the electorates make an

informed choice on candidates, then why had it being the preserve of political

parties with representative in parliament, since 2000.

3. That the use of the media, particularly the state-owned, for the presidential

candidate to interact with the electorates is unacceptable and disadvantageous to

the Independent People’s Party. The media by Law is required to give equal space and

time to all political parties.

4. And that there is nothing that concerns the parliament here about

presidential debate. It is purely a platform for the candidates aspiring for the

highest office of the land to present alternative vision and policies to the

electorates against those of their co-contestants, and why they must be voted for.

The Independent People’s Party is hereby notifying IEA, THE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL

THINK, TANK, to revise their notes on the modalities for selecting parties/

presidential aspirants for the debate series.

We call on the IEA to include and invite the IPP and its Presidential Candidate in

the Pre-election Debate, and indeed, any other political party and presidential

candidate.

The IPP deemed it our constitutional right; not privilege orfavor, and may be

compelled to resort to the LAW courts for redress if our demands are not met.

Signed: Thomas Adzei

(IPP National Communications Director)

CC

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, IEA, ACCRA

CHAIRMAN, ELECTORAL COMMISSION

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