Denu (V/R), April 13, GNA - Mr Modestus Ahiable, Volta Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Saturday cautioned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government not to adopt negative tactics with the intention of rigging the coming elections. He alleged that the NPP used unacceptable methods, including parading macho men to gain votes in parts of the Volta Region in the 2004 elections.

Speaking at the NDC Ketu-South Constituency parliamentary primaries at the weekend at Denu, he said any repeat of such acts this time round would be opposed by the NDC. Mr Ahiable asked the government to ensure mutual respect for all parties and respect the electoral process to make the elections acceptable, free and fair. "The practice would no longer be tolerated and must not recur," Mr Ahiable said. He specifically mentioned Adidome, Kwamekrom, Denu, Aflao, Dzodze and Soakage where macho men were used to intimidate the people, resulting in near violence.

Mr Ahiable told the people to stay solidly behind the NDC as only that would put a stop to the massive corruption currently going on in government circles and untold hardship in the country now. He said the choice of Mr John Mahama as Professor Mill's running mate is one of the good things to happen to the Party this year. In the polls conducted by the Ketu-South District of Electoral Commission, Mr Albert Zigah, 48, the incumbent MP was retained as NDC parliamentary candidate for the 2008 elections. He polled 234 of the 303 votes cast, defeating two others, Mr Desky Ahedor, 52, a Businessman, who gained 45 votes and Mrs Elizabeth Kuenyefu, 54, who polled 20 votes. Four ballots were rejected. Mr Zigah asked the people to begin work immediately to mobilize support for the NDC to gain victory in the coming elections.