Mr Adam Sulley, an official of the Electoral Commission (EC), has urged political parties to engage polling station agents they trust to represent their interest at every poll organised by the Commission.
He said when due diligence is done in the selection of political party agents, it takes away the problems of suspicion and tension that characterises elections
Mr Sulley was addressing a consultative forum on Public Elections Regulations (C.I. 75) with stakeholders at Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital.

He observed that a doubt by a representative of a political party at the polls sends negative signals, which leads to mistrust.
Mr Sulley, who is a Deputy Electoral Commissioner responsible for the Region, said the EC is there to serve the interest of all political parties and has put in place the framework to conduct free, fair and transparent elections.
Commenting on the District Level Elections (DLE), he said the EC is mandated by law to raise platforms for candidates to campaign.
He warned that the commission would not hesitate to disqualify any candidate found to be supported by a political party.

He said any candidate who uses the symbol of a registered political party symbols during the campaigns would be disqualified outright.
Mr Sulley observed that patronage of DLEs over the years have been poor due to factors  including discouraging motivational packages, unwillingness of experts and professionals to present themselves for the contest and intrusion by political parties.

The forum, which was facilitated by KAB Governance Consult, consultants of the EC, was attended by stakeholders including non-governmental organisations, the clergy, representatives from the educational sector, delegates from disability organisations, security agencies, media personnel and trade union organisations.