Nkawkaw (E/R), March 10, GNA - The Nkawkaw District Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Amamoo has called on the leadership of all political parties to study and explain the Public Order Act 491 to their supporters to ensure a peaceful campaign during the forth-coming presidential and parliamentary elections. He said the Act was enacted in 1994 to ensure peace and order in the country and not to intimidate any political party or group of people.

Chief Superintendent Amamoo was addressing representatives of political parties at Nkawkaw to explain the Act in relation to political rallies in the area.

Photostat copies of the Act were distributed to leaders of the three main political parties, namely the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Convention People's Party (CPP) who attended the meeting.

The District Police Commander said under the Public Order Act, any person, group of people or a political party who desire to hold any special event such as meetings, gatherings or rallies at any public place shall notify the police five days before such an event. He said this would enable the police to study the grounds to avoid any confrontation and riots leading to loss of life and property in a particular area.

Chief Superintendent Amamoo noted that any person or party who failed to notify the police of any special event as well as to inform the police to comply with their request and organise such an event would commits an offence which is liable to a conviction of a fine not exceeding two million cedis or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both.

He advised them to educate their supporters to avoid the destruction and defacing of party posters and flags to avoid confrontation among opposing parties since they are one people from one family with a political affiliation.

The Nkawkaw Constituency Chairman of the NPP, Opanin Yaw Boateng commended the police for organising the meeting to explain the Public Order Act to the political parties and gave the assurance that they would explain the Act to their supporters to ensure a peaceful campaign in their area.