Create level playground for parties - Prof. Asante
The Chairman of the National Peace Council (NPC), Rev. Professor Emmanuel Asante, has asked the Electoral Commission (EC) to create a transparent and level playing field for all parties in this year’s election.
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He said the weaknesses in the electoral management system would give room for suspicion about the credibility of the electoral outcome which could trigger violence.
“We will like to see an EC that will be seen to be transparent in whatever they do and ensure that there is a level playground for the conduct of this year’s election. The rules ought to be applied to all parties equally, without making others feel aggrieved, while the political parties must also conduct themselves in accordance with the set rules,” he urged.
Prof. Asante, who was speaking at the launch of a book on managing election-related conflicts in Accra yesterday, further contended that the fact that 13 political parties were initially disqualified from contesting the election meant that the “structures are deficient and ought to be strengthened.”
Book launch
The launch of the book titled “Managing Election-related Conflicts and Violence for Democratic Stability in Ghana II,” by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), brought together key security operatives, including the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr John Kudalor.
The 196-page book highlights some triggers to electoral violence in the country such as the activities of political vigilante groups, youth unemployment, abuse of incumbency, alienation of minority groups, and weak electoral management systems.
Also identified as possible triggers of violence in elections, as contained in the book, are hate speeches, spirituality and use of abusive language.
Circumspection
Prof. Asante underscored the need for the EC to be mindful of the way it handled the electoral process, adding that when stakeholders and other actors felt aggrieved and alienated, they would lose confidence in the electoral process.
“Going forward, all processes must be made clear through engagement of the concerned stakeholders in a manner that will reduce the agitations and create a peaceful atmosphere. Regarding the Supreme Court ruling, I think the processes must be followed as directed so that we can have a peaceful country,” he added.
Police ready
The IGP, Mr John Kudalor, reiterated his assurance that the police were on top of their job in terms of the preparations to ensure that there was a non-violent election on December 7.
He observed that the mechanisms the police administration had put in place from the beginning of the year, such as the establishment of election task forces across the country, stakeholder engagements, mapping out of flashpoints, and training of police personnel on managing electoral violence, were high points that would guarantee stability in the aftermath of the election.
“We will continue to engage with political parties, especially on the need to stay away from the use of vigilante groups. We can also assure that the police service will remain professional in the provision of security to all citizens,” he added.
Mr Kudalor, however, cautioned people who have the intention to snatch ballot boxes on the election day, or act in a manner that will disrupt peace during the elections to abort such plans because “the police will deal decisively with such characters.”
Book timely
The Commandant of the KAIPTC, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Griffiths Evans, and the Director of the Faculty of Academic Affairs at KAIPTC, Dr Kwesi Aning, took turns to digest the content of the book.
AVM Griffiths described the book as timely and relevant considering the fact that it provided in-depth analysis of the nature of electoral violence that resonated with the current situation.
Dr Aning, for his part, said the book provided useful suggestions on how to use the right tools available to curb electoral violence in order to have a stable society.
