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Regional News of Wednesday, 28 January 2004

Source: GNA

No night rallies again - UW Police warn

Wa, Jan. 28, GNA - The Upper West Regional Police Command on Tuesday warned that they would not tolerate any acts of indiscipline, disrespect and misbehaviour during the electioneering activities this year.

"We shall for instance not allow any political party to hold any rally after six p.m. and those who defy this would be held responsible for their crimes".

Mr George Ankobil, Deputy Regional Police Commander gave this warning during a meeting organised by the Regional Police Command for party leaders and the media to sensitise them on the agenda of the police from now until the general elections.

He said party leaders who do not inform the police five days before holding a rally or any public gathering would not be permitted as that contravenes the laws of the nation.

"It is not acceptable for various parties to hold rallies in the night and more so when they do not duly inform the police about their programmes. more

Mr Ankobil called on the leaderships of the parties to educate them thoroughly against violence and trading of insults and other forms of insinuations during their campaigns.

"Most of the conflicts and misunderstandings during campaigns have their roots from poor education among the electorate which should be changed this year.

Mr Lucas Yiryel, Wa District Officer of Electoral commission appealed t the leaderships of various parties to avoid the registration of minors during the forthcoming registration exercise.

"In most cases it is the party leaders who push the minors to the registration points to register which is not good enough for the growth of democracy" he added.

Mr Yiryel expressed concern about people who were reporting electioneering problems directly to the FM stations and called on the public to first report all kinds of problems and malpractices to the Electoral Commission before reporting to the FM stations.