The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has inaugurated an Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) for the Bole District in the Savannah Region.
It forms part of efforts to ensure free, fair and peaceful general election in December 2020.
The committee, among other things, will ensure that stakeholders work together and play key roles to achieve a credible, free, fair and violence free election.
Members of the committee are drawn from political parties, security agencies, Electoral Commission, traditional and religious groups, Commission for Human Rights and Administrative justice (CHRAJ) and the NCCE.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Bole District Director of the NCCE, Mr Stephen Ebo Koomson, said the objective of the IPDC was to concentrate on mediation and resolution of petty conflicts by monitoring the enforcement of the electoral rules and regulations.
The committee, he said, would also, identify issues that had the potential to bring electoral conflicts, promoting peaceful co-existence among political parties, and also to promote information sharing to avoid rumour-mongering.
He said the IPDC would focus on promoting political discourse to mitigate misinformation and misrepresentation among political parties and key stakeholders and provide opportunity for all parties to air their concerns.
“The IPDC will further organise interactive inter-party fora at the district level, initiate and sustain dialogue for stakeholders in the resolution of conflict that has the potential to affect the upcoming elections and deepen collaboration between the NCCE, EC, traditional authorities, political parties, the youth, security agencies, district assemblies, civil society and community leaders in the promotion of non-violence”, he added.
Mr. Isaac Gyedua, Bole District Director, Electoral Commission (EC), disclosed that the Commission is prepared for the December 7, elections.
Mr Gyedua indicated that all COVID-19 protocols would strictly be adhered to during the the December 7, general elections.
He urged political parties and other stakeholders to educate the electorate especially first-time voters on how to properly vote, saying “the emphasis is on the use of the thumb to make a mark at his or her preferred choice”.
” The Police would not countenance on any criminal activities as the security is poised to guard the December 7 elections to it’s best option in maintaining peace and order”, DSP David Azumah, Bole District Police Commander made it known during the meeting with the various stakeholders in the District.
The NCCE Director made it known to the gathering that a proposed date of November 26, 2020, has been slated for a parliamentary debate between the two Parliamentary candidates contesting for the Bole-Bamboi constituency seat which is currently occupied by the National Democratic Congress ( NDC).
Source: yagbonradioonline
