Desist from electoral violence — NCCE

A Deputy Chairman of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mr Samuel Asare Akumoah has cautioned political parties to desist from acts that will disrupt the peace as the country enters the election year.

He noted that of the many causes of violence during election, rigging still remained one critical cause that could bring violence and disrupt the nation's peace.

He said political parties ought to lead the country in one piece and it would be an irony if they worked to disrupt the very nation they sought to lead.

He was speaking at a ceremony to inaugurate a 40-member Inter-Party Dialogue Committee ahead of the 2020 general elections.

Beacon of democracy

He indicated that Ghana had been acknowledged worldwide as a beacon of democratic advancement and peace.

He said it was, therefore, important that all efforts were made to keep the peace before, during and after the election.

He said it was essential that the country did not slip from the path of the democratic gains made.

Committee

Mr Akumoah asked the inter party dialogue committee to be open minded and pick up all information on possible acts of rigging and make efforts to revert them.
"Work hard. Help us to name and shame political parties found culprits," he stated.

He urged the political parties to sanction persons who might seek to "set fire" in communities.

He further cautioned the political parties and other organisations and the media not to rush to announce election results.

Pockets

The Central Regional Director of the NCCE, Mr Nicholas Ofori Boateng, noted that although the nation had had several peaceful general elections, there had also been pockets of violence during elections hence, the need to work towards consolidating the peace in the country.

He called for proactive initiative from the committee to prevent violence in the region.