Ghana cannot afford to be complacent In 2012 elections - Emile Short
Mr Justice Emile Short, Former Commissioner of the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has observed that Ghana cannot afford to compromise peace and stability in the 2012 general election.
He said although the country has been touted from all quarters on the peaceful manner it had conducted previous elections since the return to constitutional rule, the violence, intimidation and other breaches of law and order during the bye-elections in Akwatia, Atiwa and Chereponi “are a sober reminder that we cannot afford to be complacent but must be vigilant in ensuring that we have a free, fair and peaceful elections in 2012”.
Mr Short made the observation when he launched, “The political parties’ code of conduct 2012”, in Tamale on Wednesday.
The programme, which was on the theme: “Deeping Ghana’s democracy through peaceful and credible elections” was organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA).
He said the 2007 elections in Kenya saw the death of more than 1000 people while 500,000 others were displaced from their homes. Three top Kenyan politicians are presently before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague accused of crimes against humanity and other international crimes.
Mr Short reminded Ghanaians that only a week ago the former President Laurent Gbagbo of Ivory Cost was transferred to the ICC with charges of crimes against humanity preferred against him for the violence that erupted after his refusal to hand over despite the verdict of the international community that he lost the elections.
He said the political parties’ code of conduct is very comprehensive and addresses almost all the pertinent issues relating to the relationship between the political parties and the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections.
He however said as commendable as the code was, its objectives of ensuring that political parties and candidates observed all the rules and regulations relating to the conduct of elections and maintenance of public order would not be achieved unless the provisions were widely publicised, promoted and accepted by party candidates, members and supporters.
He urged the parties to distribute the document through all levels of the various political parties, particularly at the grassroots level and to also educate their followers about the content and the need to abide by the provisions.
He also appealed to party leaders to take concrete steps to disband all vigilante groups and publicly urge their supporters to adhere to the provisions of the code.
Source: GNA
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