NDC, NPP Warned

THE NATIONAL Enforcement Body for the 2012 Political Parties Code of Conduct has warned the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to call their supporters to order or face sanctions.

It notes that the violent behavior of the two main parties in the ongoing biometric registration exercise contravenes provisions of the 2012 Political Parties Code of Conduct therefore it not would hesitate to sanction them if they continue.

Addressing a press conference in Accra, Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante, Chairman of the National Peace Council said the two parties had representatives who assented to the code and its provisions at a workshop at Aburi on August 21, 2011.

At the workshop, he said all political parties including the two main parties agreed to demonstrate commitment to the enforcement and implementation of the code by educating their members and supporters on its provisions and disowning those who breach them.

However 'it appears the NDC and the NPP have not fulfilled their pledge as their supporters and members behave contrary to the very provisions that their party representatives assented to,' Rev. Asante said.

He said since the commencement of the biometric voters registration exercise, there have been instances of hate speech, inciteful statements and abuse and violence of women and children involving the use of offensive weapons being perpetrated mostly by members of the NDC and NPP.

Rev Asante said supporters and leaders of the political parties have been inciting violence using hate speech and statements as well as accusations and counter-accusations.

Rev. Asante reminded all political parties to be aware that they are being monitored by the enforcement bodies at the national and regional levels before, during and after the elections. 

The National Enforcement Body which was established by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) with approval of the political parties is mandated to monitor conduct of the parties and their supporters to ensure they behave in the manner expected of them as enshrined in the Political Parties Code of Conduct 2012.

  By Cephas Larbi