Refrain from violence, divisive acts and utterances that threaten peaceful elections - Peace Council

The National Peace Council (NPC) has urged political parties to refrain from violence and divisive acts and utterances which would threaten the peaceful conduct of elections and the preservation of Ghana’s reputation as a stable democracy.

In a press statement issued by the Chairman of the National Peace Council, Most Rev Professor Emmanuel Asante on Wednesday [July 8, 2020], the NPC said it strongly believes that any outstanding election related dispute can be resolved peacefully either through the judicial process or by alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

It said the NPC stands ready to offer its good offices in achieving a peaceful resolution of all such disputes and appeals to all citizens and contesting political parties to refrain from violence.

Read a copy of the NPC's statement below

For Immediate Release:

“PRESS STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL PEACE COUNCIL ON THE CURRENT REGISTRATION OF VOTERS’

PThe National Peace Council notes with appreciation the conduct of the political parties in the recent disagreements around the electoral register and to congratulate all stakeholders for the confidence in our judicial processes and to encourage all citizens to continue to resort to non-violent ways to address their differences.

As we enter the second half of our election year, the National Peace Council calls on all citizens of Ghana and all stakeholders in our body politic to recommit themselves to peace in all their activities and utterances before, during and after the December general elections.

Over the years, although our electoral process has not been entirely devoid of isolated acts of violence, Ghana has justifiably earned an enviable reputation as an oasis of peaceful constitutionalism in a turbulent region.

What is more, within the past year, the following concrete steps have been taken to prevent potential threats to peaceful elections this year.

First, Parliament has unanimously passed legislation to prohibit political vigilantism.

Second, the two major parties, the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party have, under the auspices of the National Peace Council, declared that political vigilantism is inimical to Ghana’s democratic system and must be eradicated.

Third, the said two parties have publicly subscribed to a Roadmap and a Code of Conduct, developed by the National Peace Council, on the eradication of political vigilantism and election related violence

Fourth, the Supreme Court has issued a ruling on some legal aspects of voter registration, which has been accepted by all parties concerned

The National Peace Council strongly believes that any outstanding election related dispute can be resolved peacefully either through the judicial process or by alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

The National Peace Council stands ready to offer its good offices in achieving a peaceful resolution of all such disputes and appeals to all citizens and contesting political parties to refrain from violence and divisive acts and utterances which would threaten the peaceful conduct of elections and the preservation of Ghana’s reputation as a stable democracy.

SIGNED:

MOST REV PROF EMMANUEL ASANTE

CHAIRMAN

Source: graphic.com.gh

Date: 07/10/2020