Let’s hold elections without acrimony — Joe Ghartey

 The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Joe Ghartey, has called for peace during the upcoming regional elections of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He said the elections should be held in a peaceful manner without acrimony and bitterness to ensure unity and oneness after the exercise.

"Our party is committed to democracy and healthy competition, where all qualified persons can stand for all positions," he said.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Graphic to wish the delegates well, Mr Ghartey, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Essikado/Ketan, stated that in every contest, there would be winners and losers.

The party has scheduled Saturday, January 25, 2014,  to hold elections in all the 1o regions to elect its regional executives and preparations are far advanced for the exercise.

Contestants for the various postitions have for some time now been touring the various constituencies to campaign for votes from the delegates.

Mr Ghartey, therefore, urged both winners and losers in the aftermath of the forthcoming  elections to be gracious to each other and adopt measures to quickly reconcile to pursue the greater agenda to win power for the benefit of the country.

Mr Ghartey observed that for far too long, the party had been divided,  adding that "this is the time for us to collectively say no to the apostles and disciples of division and to say it loudly to them that enough is enough.

"We should not allow those who want the party to remain divided for their own personal end to use the upcoming regional elections to further divide the party."

Mr Ghartey prayed that all the delegates would arrive at the various election centres safely and also reach their destinations in peace after the elections.