EC committed to upholding electoral neutrality

The Electoral Commission (EC) has assured Ghanaians of its core ethical stance to be neutral in the discharge of its activities for national peace and stability during the December 2020 poll.

The Commission's commitment to remain exceptionally neutral with strong collaboration with key stakeholder institutions in the up-coming elections would demonstrate to the world of the country's acceptance to multi-party democratic governance and strong independent institutions of state as the engine of national peace and political stability.

Mr. Michael Boadu, the Director of Training at the Commission made this known at the third public lecture and launch of violence free election 2020 put together by the Centre of Awareness and Global Peace Mission in Cape Coast.

Speaking on the theme "targeting youth and leadership across the globe to achieve peace worldwide through education," Mr. Boadu appealed to all political parties to rake in their support and abide by the electoral rules of vigilance, justice and fairness.

He bemoaned the use of profane language in the political discourse of the country and noted that such attitudes, which were neither religiously approved nor traditionally accepted had the potential to derail the sacrifices and gains made over the years.

The Commission acknowledged that Ghana was passing through an important and exciting phase in the nation's history not only in deepening the democratic credentials, but also in the struggle for economic freedom devoid of any political and social interference.

But, in all, he reiterated the Commission's saying " EC is the official body in Ghana responsible for all public elections, undertake the preparation of voter identity cards and issue of voter identity cards among a host of others.

Mr. Boadu further cautioned against the misguided role of the youth, he noted that the future of the nation demanded that the youth fashioned their lives with a distinct objective; "to love Ghana and make her great and proud at all times in all things."

Professor Samuel Ato Duncan, the Executive President of the Centre of Awareness Global Peace Mission, stated that Ghana's image as a developing democracy was at the verge of being bruised and failed by courtesy of some unpatriotic, political activists who failed to play by the rules of the game.

According to him, these culture of insults must not be allowed to continue because it could trigger reprisals leading to violence and emphasized that all the religious persuasions forbade high handedness in response to even the extreme instance of transgressions by followers of other religions or political parties.

“For that purpose, Ghanaians must resolve to ensure that the gradually sullied image of the country as a non-tolerant, political violent people was salvaged towards staying knit together in unity after the election.”

He told the youth to pledge not to vent their uncontrolled emotions on others, but hold onto their valued and adored identities for the individual and the socio-economic development of the country.