ONMA NCCE forms IPDC …ahead of election 2020

The Okaikwei North Municipal Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has formed an Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) ahead of the December 7 polls.

The move is part of efforts to foster peace and unity among the citizens in the Municipality before, during and after the elections.

The five-member Executive Committee chaired by Nii Boi IV, Abeka Mantse is among other things expected to map out strategies on how to sustain the peace and tolerance in the lead up to the elections.

The Committee is also to engage representatives of the various political parties and social groups on how to sustain the harmony.

Speaking at the event, Joana Nkansah, the NCCE Regional Director in a keynote address reminded all citizens of the need to preserve the peace of the country.

She said it was the duty of every Ghanaian to vote in the December elections because it is a civic responsibility.

Mrs. Nkansah spoke on the need to avoid inflammatory language on the airwaves as well as acts of political vigilantism that would mar the peace of the country.

She said culprits would be dealt with according to the law insisting that acts of vigilantism is a crime punishable by imprisonment.

Mrs. Eunice Yeboah Quaye, the Electoral Commission Municipal Director reiterated the commitment of the Commission to remain fair and transparent to all parties in the elections.

She stated that there is no way the Commission would do anything that would favor any party or group of persons in the elections.

Mrs. Yeboah Quaye warned that the electorates at the polling station must not wear any party colours and that the aged and Persons With Disabilities would be given preferential treatment on the day of the elections.

The Municipal EC Director disclosed that on the day of the election, all the COVID 19 protocols would be strictly followed.

Touching on the secrecy of the ballot, she noted that it was wrong for anyone to take a shot of their vote with mobile phones indicating that such an act is also a crime punishable by law.

Mrs. Vivienne Achel, the Municipal NCCE Director in an address said violence has been a part of Ghanaian politics arguing that “from pre-independence elections to the present, some Ghanaians have been victims of electoral conflict. Ghana has however, chalked an impressive record of success in managing its elections since the whole country has never been involved in such electoral violence as experienced in other countries.”

She explained that one of the enviable feats Ghana has achieved include the successful conduct of presidential and parliamentary elections seven times in succession culminating in peaceful transition and transfer of political power from a ruling party to an opposition party in 2000, 2008 and 2016 adding that “Ghanaians have also continued to uphold the supremacy of the constitution, rule of law, free, vibrant and liberalized media landscape and the promotion of democracy in general.”

Chairman for the occasion, Nii Boi IV, urged all parties to uphold the peace and tranquility even after the 2020 election.

He said Ghanaian are one people with a common destiny, the very reason elections must not be an avenue for war and violence.

Nii Boi IV tasked the political parties contesting the elections to put Ghana first above their parochial interests.

Other members of the IPDC are representatives of PWD’s, political parties, the media, NCCE, Women Groups, Christian and Muslim Groups, the Commission On Human Rights And Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) among others.