Three parties affirm Code of Conduct

Accra, Sept. 14, GNA - The leadership of three political parties has reaffirmed commitment to the 2008 Code of Conduct to ensure a peaceful conduct before, during and after the bye-election at Chereponi in the Northern Region on September 29.

The document, signed by the chairmen and general secretaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), People's National Convention (PNC) and Convention People's Party (CPP), said the step followed the recent disturbances at the Akwatia partial re-run. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) did not sign the document.

The parties called on their supporters to abide by the provisions of the code and to refrain from acts of thugery, violence and intimidation before, during and after the bye-election and subsequent elections.

The Code of Conduct, which was agreed under the Institute of Economic Affairs-Ghana Political Parties Programme in May last year, agreed among others that the enforcement bodies of the 2004 Code of Conduct at the national level must be activated and replicated at the regional levels and be given the mandate to enforce the provisions of the 2008 Code.

It said political parties and politicians must refrain from making inflammatory statements to avoid stirring up passions and generating public disaffection.

They also agreed that the use of law enforcement agencies and private security groups to intimidate electoral competitors and the electorate must cease.

The Code noted that elections provided a test for social cohesion which implied that all stakeholders ought to work together towards achieving peaceful elections.

"While Ghana is making significant progress in its electoral processes, all stakeholders must, nevertheless, work together to ensure that what has been achieved is further deepened. "Political parties must work to build confidence and trust among themselves to serve as the basis for the enforcement of the 2008 Code."