Key stakeholders in the December 7 parliamentary and presidential elections in the Odododiodio constituency in Accra have emphasized the need for an incident-free election.
Member of Parliament for the constituency, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, a former New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP, Reginald Nii Bi Ayibonte, the Parliamentary Candidate for Ghana Union Movement (GUM), Ebenezer Otoo have all urged their supporters to refrain from acts that can compromise a peaceful election.
At the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra Town Hall Meeting held last Saturday, MP for the area pleaded with the Ghana Police Service to do their work diligently to ensure peace before, during and after the election.
“We shall fight for peace no matter the difficulties but we’ll reckon the Ghana Police Service to as much as possible exercise that authority and mandate that the constitution of the Republic of Ghana has given them. They must be fearless, fair, firm, professional and must treat all manner of people the same so that peace will prevail”, he said.
He also cautioned political party sympathizers to be mindful where they source protection from, noting “if you think you have political protection be very careful”.
Former NPP MP for the constituency, Reginald Nii Bi Ayibonte on his part reminded constituents of their responsibility to ensure there is peace and unity in the constituency. According to him, that responsibility is even more crucial as the December 7 elections beacon.
“We owe Ghana and Odododiodio another peaceful election, all the leaders of the various political parties have police protection but you the individuals do not have. Hence why should you fight”, he said.
“I’m advising all of us to learn to live peaceful live”, he added.
Parliamentary aspirant for the Ghana Union Movement (GUM), Ebenezer Otoo, noted that irrespective of the different political ideologies, the constituents are a common people and that the interest of Ghana is paramount in all instances.
“We have different political parties in the country because of the different ideologies of these parties…the parliamentarians of the constituency serve everybody and not just its party members therefore let’s do our best to maintain peace and order in the constituency and the country at large”, he pleaded.
The police also gave their word to do a professional job in maintaining law and order and ensuring peace before, during and after the election.
Violent clash at Odododiodio
This is coming on the back of a violent clash between some supporters of the NDC and the NPP last month during a health walk, an incident the police have since commenced investigations and have assured the public perpetrators will be brought to book.
In a number of video clips that were widely shared on social media platforms, supporters of the two main parties were seen throwing bottles as well as hauling stones and insults at each other.
The two political parties have been pointing accusing fingers at each other over who initiated the violence.
It is the expectation of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra that the town hall meeting which engaged all the key stakeholders to iron out their difference and pledge to peace ahead of the elections.
By Sheena Pankani|3news.com|Ghana