The emerging political party, the National Liberation Congress (NLC), has called for a national dialogue on the proposed date changes for presidential and parliamentary elections.
The NLC called for public consensus on the proposed changes, adding that discussions on the subject should go beyond the electoral commission and interparty advisory committees.
At a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, NLC founder and leader Stephen Atubiga said the proposal by the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) is “good for our democracy.”
“Our democracy has deepened, with the church proposing a date for elections. That’s good for our democracy, and we should have a dialogue and see a way forward.”
In a petition to the Election Commission, the SDA Church said that because the election day falls on a Saturday and coincides with the Sabbath, a holy day dedicated to the worship of God, it is necessary to change the traditional date of December 7. Stated.
The church said the first or second Tuesday of the month would be more convenient to promote inclusive democracy.
The Electoral Commission also proposed changing the dates of presidential and parliamentary elections to ensure that the Electoral Commission has sufficient time to operate effectively, especially in the case of run-off elections. There is.
The EC has proposed holding general elections on November 7 as part of its electoral reform plan.
Former President John Dramani Mahama, the standard-bearer of the National Democratic Congress, has publicly opposed the move, saying, “I do not believe this is being proposed in good faith.”
Atubiga warned against using legal means rather than dialogue to force a change in voting dates.
He expressed concern that if the court grants the SDA’s request, it could set a precedent for other faith-based organizations and groups to advance their own interests.
The NLC also expressed concern over what it called the proliferation of ethnocentric and tribal movements by representatives of some political parties.
The party said the use of inflammatory language against certain ethnic groups could undermine the peace and tolerance that has existed between different ethnic groups for decades.
Atubiga urged political officials to speak civilly ahead of the election and encouraged political parties to take action against members who inflame ethnic and religious tensions.
“I call on concerned citizens, the National Peace Council and traditional and religious leaders to speak out against those campaigning on religious and tribal lines,” he said.
—GNA