Forum urges parties to ensure peaceful elections

Ho, Nov. 28, GNA - Participants at a symposium in Ho on Thursday appealed to political parties to let their commitment to free, fair and peaceful elections reflect in their conduct and pronouncements as the country entered the General Elections in 2004.

The call was made at a day's symposium, organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) for political parties and civil society groups in the Volta Region under the topic: "Towards free, fair and peaceful election 2004."

The participants advised political parties not to resort to threats, intimidation and electoral malpractices to win elections.

They noted that apart from winning power, political parties had a significant role to play in the socio-economic development of the country.

Dr Josiah Aryeh, General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), said the first three elections in the Fourth Republic could be described as "founding elections."

He said the outcome of next year's election would tend to consolidate views about the ability of Ghanaians to sustain peace and fairness as part of the electoral process.

Dr Aryeh said: "The stakes are naturally high in elections and many are prepared to go to considerable risks to protect their outlays," hence the need to guard the elections against being discredited.

He called for the disbanding of the use of "macho men" by political parties to achieve their parochial interest because such persons were symbols of fascism and had no place in democratic culture.

Dr Aryeh noted that while governments were often accused of manipulating elections, it was possible for opposition parties to also influence polls especially in their strongholds.

He urged all political parties to ensure transparent and credible elections in 2004.

Mr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, the National Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), reminded Ghanaians that free, fair and peaceful elections were not only aimed at avoiding violence and disputes but as a way of perpetuating democratic values.

He said disagreements among political parties are normal and should therefore not be recipe for chaos.

Mr Abdul-Hamid called on Ghanaians to fight for a vibrant electoral system since they would be beneficiaries of the process.

He requested the National Electoral Commission (NEC) to work assiduously to ensure free and fair elections in order to win the confidence of the people and the political parties.

He said the NPP both as a party and government remained committed to its tradition of fair democratic choice and would therefore, create the conditions for credible elections at all times.

Mr Abdul-Hamid called for the establishment of electoral courts to handle election disputes expeditiously.

He called on the media to be objective, fair and truthful on political reportage to enhance the country's infant democracy.

Mr Kafui Asem, a former Parliamentary candidate of the Convention People's Party for the Ho-West constituency, said the education of the electorates on voting procedure could ensure free, fair and peaceful elections.

He said without a proper understanding of the election process by the public the country's democracy would not develop fast and smoothly.

Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan, deputy National Treasurer of the Peoples National Convention urged religious bodies to educate their members on the importance of ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections.