Statement From CiPED On The Talensi By-Election

Elections occupy a position of special importance in modern democratic governance because it is primarily through this process that the will of the people is unequivocally conveyed.It is therefore not surprising that so much public interest and attention are focused on the conduct of elections.

• The Electoral Commission has set Tuesday, July 7, 2015, for a by-election in Talensi to elect a Parliamentary candidate for the area.

• The seat became vacant after the NPP Member of Parliament for the area,Hon. Robert NachinabDoameng was elevated to the position of Paramount Chief of the Tongo Traditional Area.

• CiPED believes that Ghana has made giant strides towards democratic consolidation, having held six successive general elections and several by-elections under the Fourth Republic.

• Although the six successive general elections were generally acclaimed as free and fair, the reality is that some violent incidents did occur, a trend that seems to be characterizing elections in Ghana and Africa in general.

• By-elections in recent times at Akwatia, Atiwa and Chereponi, were marred by politically-motivated violence and intimidation.

• We therefore call on all Political Parties contesting in this by-election and their supporters to exercise circumspection in their actions and utterances and to refrain from acts that could jeopardize the peace of the area and our dear nation at large.

• We also call on the voters and all Talensi constituents to be law abiding and ensure a peaceful and violence free by-election.

• We trust in the independence of our Electoral Commission and the capability and sense of professionalism of our Security Agencies in ensuring incidence-free by-election.

• May this by-election mark another success in our democratic dispensation and electoral politics.

Signed:
Ms. SethlinaOpoku-Amakwa
Executive Director
CiPED Movement