NPP backs calls for probe into Election 2008 chaos

NPP General Secretary Nana Ohene Ntow The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has backed calls for the Mills administration to constitute a commission of inquiry to investigate the violence that characterised Election 2008. The party believes such a commission must also fashion out strategies to avert future electoral violence. “The attitude must be finding solutions for the future. We have gone through the last elections, there were all sorts of problem; the results have been accepted so any action that is taken must be future looking and forward looking,” NPP General Secretary Nana Ohene Ntow said. Nana Ntow’s comments follow an earlier call by the Ashanti Regional National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Daniel Ohene Agyekum that the Mills-led government prosecutes persons accused of perpetrating violence during the polls. Mr. Ohene-Agyekum who is headed for the United States as Ghana’s Ambassador contends that the commission’s work would reduce tension between the two political parties in the country. Reports of intimidation and electoral irregularities that characterised the elections peaked during the 28th December run-off as both parties traded accusations. Mr Ohene-Agyekum contends that government’s silence over the issue could trigger chaos in future elections and stressed that time for action is now. “I hope a commission will be set up to allow the political parties to present their cases. It will serve as a basis to smoothing things and to help us to reform the electoral process,” He told Luv’s Elton John Brobbey. The NPP however believes the composition of the committee and its terms of reference should be carefully decided to engender public confidence in the outcome. The Electoral Commission has already hinted future election registrations will be electronic, a proposal both parties favour. Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com