The presidential candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on the government to stop the deployment of the military to polling and coalition centres.
He has also spoken against other security operatives that are handed weapons to polling centres saying it creates unnecessary fear amongst the voters.
According to John Mahama, the police is the only mandated agency responsible for providing security at the polling centres, indicating that the militarisation of Ghana’s elections is tainting the democracy it practices.
Speaking at the launch of the National Peace Campaign Sunday, November 03, 2024, Mahama called for strict and fair enforcement of the law against anyone who attempts to incite violence or disrupt the peaceful conduct of the elections.
He expressed the need to create a tension-free environment to ensure people can go to the polls to cast their ballots without any fear.
The NDC flag bearer further underscored the critical roles of the Electoral Commission, judiciary, and security forces in ensuring a fair, transparent, and safe electoral process.
To ensure a peaceful electoral process, he urged the clergy to be given the opportunity to observe the process without any fear.
He expressed serious concern about the potential for violence during the elections and highlighted the urgent need for all involved institutions to prioritise justice and neutrality.
“Our clergy like all citizens should be able to witness voting and counting peacefully without fear of violence. If someone errs or is disruptive during the election, they should be made to face justice. The government has a responsibility to hold accountable any criminal who masquerades during the elections as state security operatives.
“No weapons must be allowed in or around any polling stations, including at all collation centres. Election security is the primary responsibility of the Ghana Police Service under the Inspector General of Police.
“There must therefore be no deployment of the military or armed national security operatives at any polling station or collation center. The Electoral Commission must be impartial and the judiciary must be fair and neutral in the events of any election dispute,” he preached.
