Essienimpong (Ash), Sept. 12, GNA - A traditional ruler has suggested to the National Media Commission (NMC) and the Ministry's of Information and the Interior to place a temporary ban on the reading of political text messages on radio, prior to the holding of the December elections.

Nana Kwaku Bio, Chief of Essienimpong in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality, who made the call, said if care was not taken, the reading of political text messages on radio, especially in the local languages, could spark off political violence during the elections. Speaking to newsmen at his palace at Essienimpong on Wednesday, Nana Bio pointed out that, the way and manner these text messages on political opponents were read unedited by most hosts of the programmes which could be a recipe for political confusion in the country. He said some political parties and their activists are using text messages on radio as campaign tools, and warned that any abuse of it, especially during the Election Day could be disastrous. The Chief said "at this crucial moment of the nation's history, nothing should be taken for granted.

He appealed to traditional rulers to advise their subjects to desist from acts that were likely to disturb the peace of the nation, during and after the elections. Nana Bio also appealed to the editors and hosts of radio station programmes to edit messages before reading it out to the public.