Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), has appealed to the Ghanaian Electoral Commission (EC) to be impartial in the conduct of the December 7 general election.

"The NPP will not do anything to disturb the peace prevailing in the country and will accept the outcome of the elections conducted in a free and fair manner." Kufuor made the appeal when he and his running mate, Mr Aliu Mahama, As well as some executives of the party paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and the Asanteman Council at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

Kufuor, who is on a 10-day tour of the Ashanti Region, will also call on the Asantehemaa (Asante Queenmother), Nana Afia Kobi Serwah Ampem II, the Sarkin Zongo, and the Council of Imams and Ulemas.

He is also expected to visit and sympathise with the victims of the fire disaster that hit the Anloga and Kumasi Central Markets and address a rally at Suame Magazine. Kufuor said power resides in the chiefs and the electorate and asked them to vote wisely to change the government for the first time in the country's 43 years of independence through the ballot box.

"It is when this is done that the country would be put on a sound footing to an effective and efficient socio-economic development under an NPP government."

Otumfuo Osei Tutu appealed to the political parties to preach peace to their supporters, address issues affecting the people and how they would tackle them when voted into power. The paramount chiefs appealed to the parties to conduct their campaigns in a peaceful manner.