CPP deplores violence at registration centres

Accra, May 2, GNA – The Convention People's Party (CPP), on Tuesday condemned pockets of violence that has characterized the on-going nationwide biometric registration exercise, especially in the Odododiodoo Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, and extended sympathy to those who were injured in the attacks.

The CPP wondered if members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who engaged in the violence, were politicians, dedicated to public service.

“…if they are politicians then they should be concerned with development issues, such as poverty and prosperity,” Mr Ekow Duncan, Chairman, Political Affairs Committee of the CPP said.

The CPP stalwart, who was addressing journalists as part of the May Day celebrations in Accra, said Ghanaians wanted to see policies of political parties, towards the alleviation of the suffering of the people.

Mr Duncan called on NDC and NPP to prevent their supporters from taking the law into their hands and educate them on the voter's registration and electoral rules.

He said: “Our view on the electoral violence at Odododiodoo between the NPP and the NDC is that one party is not innocent and the other is guilty.

“According to the Electoral Commission the only legitimate intervention by private citizen in the process is either a report of any criminal acts to the police and, or the filing of the notice of challenge and not physical prevention of the citizen in the exercise of the right to register.”

Mr Duncan also condemned the pronouncement by Mr Kennedy Adjapong, Member of Parliament for Assin North, and called on Ghanaians to vote for the CPP in December.

He said: 'Our detractors are drumming the propaganda that a vote for the CPP is a wasted one. They argue that though the CPP is the most patriotic and nationalistic party with the relevant and cogent development policy prescriptions, we are not strong.

“Of course, silver and gold we have none to purchase political support and electoral votes. Neither do we have the strength for brutalities countrywide or in Odododiodoo.

What we have is a development philosophy, love for the country, forbearance, compassion and a selfless commitment to the welfare of the people in national development and social progress,” he said.

GNA