NDC calls on EC devise, organize regular inter-party meetings

Cape Coast, May 06, GNA- The National Organizer of the NDC, Mr. Ofosu Ampofo has called on the Electoral Commission to devise and organize regular inter-political party meetings to enhance smooth elections in 2008.

He further called for a meeting between political parties and security agencies to educate the security agencies on the role the various party structures particularly polling agents play in election. Mr. Ampofo made the call during a Press Conference at Cape Coast to launch the Party's weeklong outreach campaign programme in the Central Region.

He explained that following the confrontation and "selective arrest" of polling agents by the police during some of the bye-elections conducted in the country, it was imperative for the electoral commission to organize a meeting for political parties and the security agencies to help address the situation.

Mr. Ampofo said because of what happened during some of the bye-elections, if care was not taken to address the situation promptly Ghana might experience the unfortunate incidence that took place during the Nigerian election, come 2008 and stressed that the NDC was not ready for what happened in Nigeria.

" In fact, what is happening now between the security agencies and the minority party is dangerous; the police are being used to undermine the electoral process in the country, they need to be fair and act as referees when it comes to election", he stressed.

On the party's campaign strategy, Mr. Ampofo said it was embarking on "back to base and top marine approach" to enable it win the 2008 election.

He said Ghanaians were yearning for the come back of the party and that it would do everything possible to win the elections.

Mr. Ampofo said a 23-member team of the party was going to tour all the 19n constituencies and the 1761 polling stations in the central region to educate the polling agents, analyze the 2004 election results as well as look at the strength and weaknesses of the party in the region.

The national organizer said it was the hope of the party to win maximum vote from the Central Region but stressed that this could only be done if they went back to the grassroots adding "we are going to build the capacity of the party's structures at the grassroots to overcome the problems ever faced in the 2000 elections".

Mr. Ampofo said the central region was chosen for the kick-start of his campaign because it was critical and crucial for the party to win in the region since its flag bearer hails from the region.

He said a lot has been done underground to ensure that the party wins the 2008 elections in the region and that the outreach programme was to add up to personal efforts of the flag bearer to sharpen the skills of the polling agents, ward and zonal executives in readiness for the elections adding, " the non vigilance of the polling agents cost the downfall of the Party in the 2004 elections in the region".

Mr. Ampofo said the party was doing well in the Central Region and that it was targeting as many seats as possible.