Political Parties in Asawase commit to Peace during elections

Political parties in the Asawase Constituency in Kumasi, one of the hotspots in elections have signed a peace pact to show their commitment to ensure peace during and after the December 7 general elections.

Representatives from the various political parties, which included the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Convention Peoples Party (CPP), Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), Peoples National Convention (PNC), United Ghana Movement (GUM) Progressive People’s Party (PPP) and the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) assured of Asawase making a difference and changing people perceptions about the constituency in this year’s elections.

However, representatives from the largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were absent from the signing of the peace pact.

At a consultative dialogue and constituency level peace pacts for selected hotspots by the Asanti Regional Peace Council with support from UNDP held at the Central Mosque at Asawase in Kumasi, the former Chairman of the National Peace Council, Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel K Asante asserted that for elections to be credible, the process must be free, fair and transparent to reflect the sovereign will of the people.

He asked the Electoral Commission (EC) to ensure a level playing ground for all political parties to avoid the accusation of the elections not been transparent, free and fair.

Speaking on the topic, Vigilantism and Related Offence, the Most Rev, Asante condemned the act of employing the services of “machomen” at a polling centre by political parties during election.

“So, what is the meaning of putting these machoman around centers, it means we do not understand the electoral process. It is not right to disenfranchise any citizen who is 18years and eligible to vote and have the right to belong to any political party by causing fear among the voters with these machomen around the voting areas”. He stressed.

Political parties, the former chair said must ensure they educate and prepare their followers adequately with the electoral processes to avoid and minimized the number of rejected ballots papers, which was always higher in every election.

A member of the Ashanti Regional Peace Council and a lecturer at KNUST, Harriet Takyi in her remarks advised political parties and voters in the constituency to avoid any tendencies that might interrupt a peaceful electoral process.

She urged the parties to commit to the peace pact and ensure Asawase will be peaceful during and after the general elections.

The Airport District Police Commander, Supt. Kingsley Kawodie guaranteed that effective security measures had been instituted at the constituency to ensure a no intimidation, violence free, and smooth electoral process. 

“I assure you; Asawase Constituency will prove a lot of people wrong in this year’s general elections and for the first time you will witness a violence free election here”, the commander added.

He promised of the protection of the ballot boxes to avoid disputes and ensure a free, fair and transparent elections and further advised people to give credible information to the police during the processes.