NCCE should be the sole body to hold presidential debates - NDC

Europa 12:01 - 17 March 2016

___4815546___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___4815546___2016___3___17___12___NCCE-ghana

The ruling National Democratic Congress has said the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) should be the sole body responsible for organising presidential debates ahead of general elections.

According to the party, empowering the NCCE to organise such debates will enhance political neutrality in the process.

The Institute of Economic Affairs, IEA has been the main body organising such presidential debates since 2012, offering presidential aspirants an opportunity to explain their policies and programmes to the electorate for the latter to make informed decisions.

However, some have argued that the criteria being used by IEA for the debate is discriminatory, as only political parties with representation in Parliament are selected for the debate.

Concerns have also been raised about the political neutrality of IEA, with the NDC and other stakeholders in election arguing for the debate to be held by the NCCE.

In an interview on Radio Ghana, the Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Koku Anyidoho said "For me, or for us as a political party, we think that it is about time the NCCE took up its rightful position," adding that the Commission should be able to put in place measures for "presidential candidates and those who think they have programmes for this country."

The NDC last year boycotted the IEA debate on the Voters' Register, after arguing that the Electoral Commission was the only mandated body to organise such a debate.

Meanwhile, the CPP and PPP have advocated for media houses to organise such presidential debates, adding that such a move will ensure the process is devoid of bias.