Stakeholders discuss how to ensure peaceful elections

Takoradi, May 2, GNA - Mr Robert Mark Azu, Acting Western Regional Police Commander on Friday urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to avoid any act of omission that could bring results of the upcoming December elections into disrepute. He also reminded officers of the Commission that the acceptance or otherwise of election results would depend largely on how transparent the EC was perceived to be.

Mr Azu was speaking at a meeting with representatives of the various political parties and other election stakeholders including the media, security agencies and religious organisations in Takoradi. It was organised by the Police Administration to discuss how to maintain the present peaceful atmosphere in the country especially during and after the December elections. Mr Azu emphasised that the upcoming elections posed a big challenge to the country and said all stakeholders have the collective responsibility to ensure a successful elections. He urged political party activists to avoid the use of words or actions that could provoke or inflame passions and reminded them that "in all competitions, there is only one winner". Mr Azu stressed the need for all to respect the legal framework that governed elections such as the Public Order Act of 1994, Act 491 and gave the assurance that the police would be non-partisan and ensure fairness in protecting law-abiding citizens. He appealed to political parties to desist from using "macho men" as agents at polling stations and rather employ the services of "knowledgeable" people who would work in their interests during counting and collation of results.

Mr. Moses Leo Blay, Western Regional Security Coordinator who presided said the upcoming elections would not be a challenge to political parties alone but to all stakeholders and that everybody must contribute to ensure an incident- free elections. He reminded the media of the important role they would play to ensure a successful elections to make the country proud. Representatives of the Democratic Freedom Party, the New Patriotic Party, and the National Democratic Congress who attended pledged to operate within the laws to ensure peace.