Accra, Oct. 20, GNA - The Electoral Commission (EC) on Monday opened the maiden inter-presidential candidates' dialogue, which aims at building on the integrity of the electoral process for a peaceful poll in December.

The dialogue dubbed: "Safeguarding the Integrity of the Ballot," was attended by presidential candidates of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, and his running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Mr Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi; Democratic People's Party (DPP), Mr Thomas N. Ward-Brew; and the running mate of the People's National Convention (PNC), Ms Petra Maria Amegashie.

Others were, Convention People's Party (CPP), Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, and independent presidential candidate, Mr Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah. The National Democratic Congress was represented by the General Secretary, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia and National Chairman, Dr Kwabena Adjei while the Reformed Patriotic Democrats was represented by Mr Francis Kyei, General Secretary. The platform offered the candidates the opportunity to fraternise, share jokes, and dialogue as leaders of the main opposition NDC sat on the same table with the ruling NPP's presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate.

Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, EC Chairman, said the dialogue was to brief the candidate on preparations towards Election Day, and also to develop a healthy relationship between the EC and the candidates. He said the platform was also to listen to any concern of the political parties and assured the political leadership that Ghana's electoral system had an inbuilt mechanism for free, fair and transparent election.

Dr Afari-Gyan reiterated that electoral management was a shared responsibility among all stakeholders, including the political parties, media, electoral administrators and democratic institutions. He therefore charged all to play their roles effectively to ensure that the credibility of the electoral process was not tarnished.