Kumasi, April 10, GNA - Alhaji Baba Jamal, the Deputy National General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has said the party deserved commendation instead of condemnation for boldly paving the way for multi-party democracy in the country. He said charting the way for democracy and courageously handing over after the 2000 general elections demonstrated the NDC's affection for multi-party democracy.

Alhaji Jamal said this at the launch of the Asawasi constituency NDC campaign in Kumasi on Saturday.

The campaign was also used as a platform to formally introduce the NDC parliamentary candidate for the constituency, Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak.

Alhaji Jamal said in spite of this lofty contribution to the democratic dispensation, some individuals and political opponents continue to lash at the NDC but no matter the intimidations, the party would continue to exist.

Mr Bede Ziedeng, the NDC General Secretary, told party supporters that after voting they should not relax ''because such acts open the door for rigging of polls by opponents.''

''Resolve to remain around the polling station and turn yourselves into additional polling agents of the party by monitoring the process and observing the counting of the ballots.''

Mr Daniel Ohene Agyekum, a member of the National Executive Committee of the NDC, appealed to members not to be complacent but to campaign hard to retain the Asawasi seat.

He said it is only when ''we are able to replace the late NDC MP for Asawasi, Dr Adamu Gibiril, by another NDC MP that we can be perceived as having shown appreciation for the good works of the late MP.''

Mr Emmanuel Nti-Fordjour, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, called on the electorate not to be scared by insinuations and harassments but be resolute behind the NDC and help retain the seat. Alhaji Mubarak assured the people that he would follow in the footsteps of the late MP and to continue his good works especially in the area of education and quality health services to the constituency.