NPP, NDC cited for breach ...

.... of Election 2008 Code of Conduct
Accra, Aug. 6, GNA - The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the main opposition National Democratic Congress have been cited for breach of the Election 2008 Political Parties Code of Conduct.

Dr Edward Nasigrie Mahama, Flag bearer of the People's National Convention (PNC) in an electronic mail to Ghana News Agency in Accra on Tuesday, said the intimidation and acts of violence which had characterized the on-going registration exercise by operatives of the two parties were unacceptable.

The PNC leader said the actions of leading NPP and NDC members had the potential of derailing the electoral process and called on the Code of Conduct National Enforcement Body headed by the Rev. Fred Deegbe, General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, to call the two parties to order.

He claimed that, the two parties were preparing the grounds for violence in the campaign, saying, "all stakeholders in the democratic process must put their acts together and stop them now.Ghana deserves a violence-free election."

The code seeks to regulate the operations of political parties contesting Election 2008 with particular focus on the democratic imperatives, campaigning procedure, out-of-campaign activities, elections, enforcement and implementation guidelines and direct the mode of political activities to ensure decorum before, during and after the December polls.

Dr. Mahama said the code enjoined all political parties, candidates, party members, agents and party workers to avoid all activities constituting electoral offences, adding, "No political party shall resort to the use of abusive or inflammatory language or incitement."

The Code enjoins parties to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and ensure absolute transparency and honesty before, during and after the elections.

The political parties are also obligated to actively discourage members from engaging in multiple voting (registration) and other forms of election malpractices - registration of minors and foreigners. The Election 2008 Code of Conduct for political parties also forbids officials or agents of political parties to engage in confrontation or open argument with election officials at the polling stations.

The code directs that any compliant, protest or challenge relating to the process and procedures at the centres should be routed through the Presiding Officers of the security officers for resolution. The PNC flag bearer called on Ghanaians to reject violent politicians and he also condemned acts of intimidation, violence and flagrant disregard for law and order by operatives of the NPP and the NDC.

Dr Mahama also urged the Electoral Commission to intensify its vigilance, and maintain focus whilst adopting pro-active dispute resolution mechanism to address operational lapses. 06 Aug. 08