The body for the enforcement of the Political Parties Code of Conduct in the 2012 elections has expressed grave concern over the comments contained in a leaked tape attributed to the National Organiser of the NDC. The National Enforcement Body (NEB), established under the auspices of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) says Mr. Yaw Boateng Gyan's plans to plant NDC agents in national security in furtherance of dishonorable political objectives of the NDC, as contained in the leaked tape, were unacceptable. These were contained in a statement issued in Accra by the NED. Read the full statement below. A STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL ENFORCEMENT BODY OF THE 2012 POLITICAL PARTIES CODE OF CONDUCT ON THE NDC NATIONAL ORGANISER’S TAPE RECORDING AND THE CREATION OF ADDITIONAL 45 CONSTITUENCIES BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION The National Enforcement Body (NEB), established under the auspices of The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), to monitor compliance with the 2012 Political Parties Code of Conduct has observed with grave concern the reported conduct of Mr. Yaw Boateng Gyan, NDC National Organiser, during a purported meeting between the NDC National Organiser and some NDC foot soldiers. The NEB regards his utterances, as recorded on the tape—which he subsequently admitted to—as highly unacceptable. The NEB strongly condemns actions that seek to undermine the conduct of this year’s elections. The NEB advises the youth, party activists, and the general public not to avail themselves to be used by politicians to engage in actions that can lead to violence and civil unrest. In the lead up to the elections, the NEB is equally concerned about revelations made by Mr. Boateng Gyan with regards to drafting NDC supporters into the National Security apparatus and issuing them with National Security Identity Cards. The utterances in the said recording, in the view of the NEB, have the tendency to create anarchy before, during and after the elections. Therefore, the NEB requests the National Security Council to brief the public on its position on these issues without delay. The NEB uses this occasion to remind the political parties in respect of commitments they made as enshrined in the 2012 Political Parties Code of Conduct, as follows; Out–of-Campaign Activities No. 2: Political Parties shall desist from the use of inflammatory language, heightening of ethnic and other tensions, personal attacks and acts of violence either directly by themselves, through leaders, assigns, members, representatives, agents and privies or by proxies.(page 8) Democratic Imperatives No. 1:“Democracy is promoted within a legal context underpinned by fairness, rule of law, freedom to express divergent opinions and equality of opportunity. Consequently, all Political Parties and Candidates shall at all times uphold rules, freedoms and rights of citizens, as enshrined in the Constitution. All Parties shall recognize at all times that sovereignty resides in the people of Ghana” (page 4) Additionally, the NEB appeals to political parties, party activists and foot soldiers to desist from actions which have the potential to disrupt the peace and security of this nation, especially in the lead up to the elections. All political parties and functionaries are admonished to uphold a civil conduct to ensure peaceful and violence free elections. In this regard, the NEB calls on the various political parties to uphold their commitments as contained in the Code of Conduct as follows; No. 4: Political Parties and Candidates shall publicly and without reservation condemn all forms of intimidation and political violence irrespective of the perpetrators. Accordingly, all Political Parties renounce violence and pledge not to indulge in violence and intimidation of any kind.(page 4) The NEB is equally concerned about the current tensed discourse engulfing the proposed creation of the 45 new constituencies by the Electoral Commission. While the creation of the new constituencies may be lawful, the NEB believes that questions and unease surrounding the creation of the new constituencies are a matter of utmost concern which could cause unrest in the country. The NEB calls on all stakeholders especially, the Electoral Commission, Political Parties, National Commission for Civic Education, National Peace Council, Traditional Authorities, Media, Civil Society Organisation, and Religious Bodies to discuss this issue in a non-partisan way and come to a consensus. The National Enforcement Body will continue to monitor the actions and conduct of Political Party leaders and their supporters and will not hesitate to name publicly political parties which violate the Code of Conduct which they themselves have signed.