Politics

Political parties asked to desist from crating ‘artificial’ electoral hotspots

The Chairman of the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC), Reverend Canon Okaijah- Bortier, has admonished political parties to desist from creating ‘artificial’ electoral hotspots to ensure effective and efficient management of already identified ones.

He explained that “even though there are credible information about the existence of real electoral hotspots, political parties have resorted to the creation of ‘artificial’ ones, a situation, which can create tensions and hinder the effective and efficient delivery of free, fair, credible and transparent elections, when not properly managed.”

Rev. Canon Okaijah-Bortier made the admonition at an IPDC meeting organised by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) with assistance and support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aimed at soliciting ideas from stakeholders towards the development of an action plan and strategies for effective and efficient management of election-related issues.

He indicated that even though there was drawn map for some identified hotspots, some of them were politically induced, which shouldn’t have been and cited Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency because until the by-election Ayawaso had never been a hotspot.

“We have to talk to political parties to make them understand they should not create artificial hotspots, and new ones since we want the citizenry to manage old ones, I advise political parties to prioritise security of the nation and ensure peace, security and unity reigned after elections to facilitate national growth, development and cohesion,” Rev Canon Okaijah-Bortier cautioned.

Lucille Hewlett Annan, the Greater Accra Regional Director of NCCE, said the meeting formed part of the Commission’s efforts at educating, sensitising and awareness creation for the electorate on the impending 2020 general election to ensure free, fairness, credibility and transparency.

She noted that commitment, dedication and determination from political parties remained a challenge in ensuring Committee delivered on its mandate and urged them to show keen interest to ensure decisions taken were implemented and pleaded with “leaders of political parties, religious bodies, civil society organisations and the electorate to collaborate their efforts to eradicate minor electoral conflicts.”

Right Rev. Samuel Osabutey, the Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional Peace Council, asked the Committee to build capacities of its members to enable them to contribute meaningfully towards achieving free, fair, credible and transparent elections. -GNA

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