Political parties in Eastern Region pledge for peaceful election

Political parties in the Eastern Region at the weekend pledged their commitment to break the emerging cycle of violence and ensure that peace prevails during the coming elections.

Representatives of the four main political parties – National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Convention Peoples’ Party (CPP) and the Peoples’ National Convention (PNC), said this as they affirmed to adhere to the Political Parties Code of Conduct for Elections 2012.

They made this affirmation at Kofi Pare in the Ayensuano Constituency of the Eastern Region, during a political civic education programme sponsored by Socioserve- Ghana, an NGO and Rite 90.1 FM, a local radio station.

Mr. Louis Adegze, the NDC representative, appealed to political parties to refrain from campaigning on ethnic and tribal lines as it has the tendency to cause division among the people.

He cautioned fellow political parties to watch their language as it is a most powerful weapon that can either make or break the fortunes of a party saying “whatever tactics that we employ as politicians, we should be mindful of the language and the power of words”.

Mr. Owusu Boateng, the NPP representative, called on stakeholders to undertake constructive engagements in order to arrive at practicable, pragmatic and workable solutions on how to break the cycle of violence in recent times and ensure peace.

He appealed to the security forces to be professional and diligent in their work and urged all political party leaders and their supporters to play a leading role in facilitating the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections.

He said there will be no peace when parties engage in politics of insult, lies, propaganda and intimidation but there will be peace when all parties respect the electorate and do not take them for granted.

Mr, Boateng said peace does not rest in charters and constitutional provisions alone as it lies in the hearts and minds of all citizens.

Lance Corporal Kofi Awudzah, who spoke on behalf of the Station Officer of Coaltar, said electoral offences are those committed by individuals and political parties from the registration process through nomination of candidates, campaigning, voting and to the declaration of results.

He said some of the offences as stated in PNDC Law 284, section 27 include making false statements to have one’s name to appear in the voters’ register, double registration and preventing others from exercising their rights.

He also added that bribery, destruction of nomination forms, sale of ballot papers, impersonation, defacement of posters of political opponent etc. were all punishable offences under the law.

Ms Rita Ntoso, Programs Manager of Socioserve-Ghana, urged all political parties to abide by political code of conduct and peace pacts they have endorsed to ensure peace in the country.

She entreated them not to plunge the country into a situation where all the resources invested in the election will go to waste.

The Nkosuohene of Kofi Pare, Nana Osei-Bonsu entreated the community members to be law abiding and not to indulge in any activity that will cause fear and panic during the upcoming elections.

He urged all the political parties to keep their word of upholding and ensuring that peace prevails in the society.

The program forms part of a project titled “Know Your Aspiring Member of Parliament”, currently being implemented in 9 constituencies in the Eastern Region.**