No individual or group can rig the elections - EC

Sunyani (B/A), May 1, GNA - The electoral process is very solid and no individual or group can manipulate to rig and create unnecessary chaos in the December elections, Mr. Ebenezer Aggrey-Fynn, member of the Electoral Commission (EC) assured Ghanaians.

He appealed to political parties to conduct their electioneering campaigns in a peaceful manner devoid of bribery, intimidation or disruption of other political party's campaigns to help consolidate the country's infant democracy.

Mr Aggrey-Fynn gave the assurance in Sunyani on Wednesday at a special inter-party advisory committee forum organized by the Brong-Ahafo regional office of the EC.

The forum was sponsored by Friedrich Ebert Foundation and was attended by representatives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC), Convention Peoples Party (CPP), Ghana National Party (GNP), People's National Convention (PNC) and Egle Party. The forum sought to build stakeholders' confidence in the outcome of the 2008 elections among other things. Mr Aggrey-Fynn explained that an election was a complex process made up of a number of requirements and that it was when proper mechanisms were put in place that the credibility of electoral results would be enhanced.

This process will not only enhance the democratic dispensation but would also paint an image of maturity and civility of the country's electoral process to the international community, he added. Mr Samuel Yorke-Aidoo, Director of Human Resource and General Services of the Commission, said even though voting was not compulsory there was the need for prospective voters who had attained 18 years and above and want to register to sign an undertaking to avoid multiple registration.

He said the Commission would operate 5,000 centres when the voters' registration exercise opened, adding that four officials made up of the registration officer, shader, laminator and the cameraman would be present at a centre.

Mr. Yorke-Aidoo said the voters' registration exercise played a crucial role in conducting credible elections and appealed to all stakeholders to help ensure maximum participation during the exercise. Nana Amba Eyiaba, Board member of the Commission who presided, stressed the need for political parties to be abreast with the electoral process to promote free, fair and transparent elections. She advised them to respect the legitimate authorities of security personnel who would be deployed to the various polling stations to help maintain peace and order. Mr Mark Ayimadu, Regional Director of the EC said the Commission received 3,921 applications for replacement of identification cards during the just ended replacement exercise. He expressed concern about the low participation of political parties during the exercise and urged them to contribute more in the impending registration exercise to make it a success. Mr. Ayimadu commended the media in the region for the active role they played during the exercise.