Opposition Parties Satisfied With Govt's Decision

Accra, Mar 15, GNA - Six opposition parties have expressed their satisfaction about the government's withdrawal of the Certificate of Urgency attached to the Representation of the People (amendment) bill to enable parliament to consider the bill under the normal processes for the passage of bills.

A joint communique issued and signed by the General Secretaries of NDC, PNC, CPP, GCPP, NRP and EGLE after a meeting expressed satisfaction that "good sense had prevail in the matter, adding, " the decision is a victory to democracy and collective vigilance."

The communiqu=E9 acknowledge that the prompt support of their position on the bill received from the civil society, especially the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), as well as MPs from both the Majority and Minority sides was a sign of "our maturing democracy that people are beginning to focus on national issues in a non-partisan manner."

It added that by its collective action, the opposition parties have underscored their firm and uncompromising commitment to ensuring a level electoral playing field for the December general elections.

The communiqu=E9 also disclosed that the opposition parties have set up a joint standing committee to monitor closely developments, which could impact on the credibility of the December general elections, including the safeguarding of the independence of the Electoral Commission, fair and equal access of all political parties to the state-owned media, as well as the application of the Public Order Act.

It thanked the media for the very effective manner they carried the message of opposition parties, especially their coverage of the press conference to make their views known to the government.

The opposition parties reminded government of the growing public perception that it was employing unacceptable and possibly illegal methods in the build-up to the December general elections and urged it to ensure "an electoral atmosphere free from intimidation, threats, manipulation and abuse of incumbency".

On the voters' registration exercise scheduled to begin from tomorrow Tuesday, the parties expressed concern about the rather low level of publicity it has received and called on all political parties to get involved in the public education campaign.

They also called on the state-owned media, especially the GBC to afford the political parties the opportunity to appeal directly to the electorate in order to make registration exercise a resounding success.

The opposition parties also called for the streamlining of the electoral and registration laws of the country to ensure that they are in line with the provision of the constitution.