Ghanaian Officials Say They’re Committed to Peaceful and Credible Elections

Posted May 11th, 2012 at 3:00 am (UTC-5)
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Ghana's Attorney General and Minister of Justice says President John Atta Mills has taken steps to ensure this year's general elections are credible and peaceful.

Benjamin Kumbuor told VOA that Mr. Mills' administration is committed to holding successful elections.

“There is a very high level of commitment at all levels of government, to show clearly, by example, a leadership that we have a responsibility, to ensure that all the rules of democratic engagement, in relation to elections are observed to the letter.”

Kumbuor says to ensure the integrity of the registration process, the Independent Electoral Commission used a biometric identification system that included taking the thumbprints of people.

He says the list of prospective voters will be used in the presidential, legislative and local elections.

The Attorney General says the ruling National Democratic Congress is also reaching out to political rivals to help in maintaining peaceful conduct.

” We are extending further to our other brothers and sisters in political parties to emulate our example and to renounce statements, actions, and sometimes omission that could be triggers for violence in elections”.

Kumbuor says security agencies are already training to prevent any uprisings heading into December's elections.

He says the Ghanaian government has also gotten international help in assisting the INEC to set up the elections.