EC adopts strategy to conduct free fair and transparent local level elections

03-12-2010 Narration: The Electoral Commission is to introduce conflict management in their electioneering activities to ensure free, fair and transparent elections, free from violent. This was announced by the Upper East Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Bruce Ayisi, at a cross sectoral stakeholders workshop held at Bolgatanga. The workshop organized by the electoral Commission and facilitated by the KAB Governance Consult was on the theme: “Harnessing the Resources of EC, NCCE and ISD for Improved Citizen Participation in the 2010 District Level Elections”. Isaac Asare was there for Radio Ghana and has come through with this report.
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Report
The workshop which was being organized for District Directors of the Electoral Commission, (EC) National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the Information Services Departments (ISD) formed part of efforts aimed at strengthening publicity on the upcoming 2010 District Level Elections slated for December, 28. It was held to create an opportunity for key stakeholders to join forces with the EC to deliver on its core mandate. This was also to remind and educate people on the need to participate meaningfully in the upcoming district assembly and unit committee elections devoid of conflict and other misconduct. The Regional Director, EC, Mr Bruce Ayisi, in a brief welcome address saw the need for key collaborators in the electoral process to execute their responsibilities diligently and effectively to enhance citizen’s participation in the upcoming event, which he said is geared at promoting governance at the grassroot level. Mr Ayisi was also emphatic about the role of the media in that regard, stressing that his outfit with the help of its collaborators is poised to conduct an exercise free from all forms of violence. The Director In-Charge of Administration and Finance at the Electoral Commission, Mr. David Azey Adenze Kanda, expressed worry about the low patronage of the district level elections over the years and attributed it to a number of factors, some of which he noted are based on ethnic religious and political grounds. He mentioned more women’s participation in local level elections as vital so that the various assemblies would have a fair representative during assembly sessions to enhance decision making processes. women he added are believed to be in a better position to bring to fore issues affecting them in all facets of life when given the opportunity, hence the need to support them . Mr. Azende Kanda reiterated the importance of the recent demarcation of electoral areas across the country and called on the populace to bear with the EC to rectify all the anomalies associated with the break ups. The Regional Director of the ISD, Mr. Nelson Mba Ayamga in an interview with Radio Ghana, pledged his outfit’s continuous support to the EC to help raise public awareness on the upcoming event and called on residents to participate fully in the exercise.
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