Accra, Sept. 18, GNA - Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), on Thursday assured the nation of the commission's commitment to organize free, transparent and fair election and called for the participation of stakeholders in the whole process. He was speaking when members of the Regional Inter Party Advisory Committee (RIPAC) from the Upper East and Northern regions visited the Commission to see how it does its work.

The EC chairman noted that the RIPAC was created as a mechanism for ensuring the active involvement and constructive engagement of political parties in the design and implementation of EC's programmes at the regional levels.

He reminded RIPAC members of their main objective which was to ensure co-existence between the parties and, in an election year, contribute towards the delivery of transparent, free and fair elections to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.

Dr Afari-Gyan also condemned politically motivated violence during elections and registration of voters and urged political parties to adhere to the tenets of multi-party democracy.

He called for closer collaboration with the political parties and tasked them to desist from jumping to the press at the least opportunity saying, "our doors are open for consultation".

Mr David Azey Adeenze-Kangah, Deputy Chairman in-Charge of Finance and Administration and Mr Kwadwo Sarfo-Kantanka, Deputy Chairman in-Charge of Operations, took turns to explain the electoral process and structure of the commission.

Mr Albert Kofi Arhin, Director of Elections and Mr Hubert Akumiah, IT Director, also answered concerns from the political party representatives and led the team to inspect the Data Processing and Operations Room (Strong Room).

The tour, organised by the EC in collaboration with KAB Governance Consult was used to provide responses to certain issues raised during the RIPAC meetings across the country.

The tour afforded RIPAC members the opportunity to learn at first hand about the operations room, the information technology (IT) department and the setup of the commission, a statement by the EC said. The Greater Accra and Volta regions visited the premises on September 4, Brong Ahafo and Upper West, September 8, Ashanti and Western regions September 10 and Central and Eastern regions, September 12.