Friday, 22 November

Great step towards peaceful elections-NDC to IGP

Politics
Dr Edward Omane Boamah

In a recent high-level meeting at the Ghana Police Service Command Centre, representatives from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) joined senior security officials to discuss critical strategies for ensuring a secure, transparent, and peaceful election on December 7.

The meeting, attended by former Minister for National Security Kofi Totobi Quakyi, former National Security Coordinator Lt. Col. Gbevlo Lartey, and  NDC's Director of Elections and IT, Dr Edward Omane Boamah said the meeting provided an opportunity for all parties to align on election security protocols.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, reinforced his commitment to a zero-tolerance approach to election-related violence.

Echoing measures adopted during the recent Assin North by-election, Dr. Dampare emphasized that the Ghana Police Service, along with Immigration, Prisons, Customs, and Fire Service personnel, will provide security at polling stations, equipped only with non-lethal tools.

He underscored that any potential military intervention must come solely at the direction of the IGP, who serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the National Elections Security Task Force.

A notable development from the Electoral Commission was the announcement that the counting of presidential ballots will precede the counting of parliamentary ballots in all polling stations.

This directive aims to maintain order and streamline vote counting across the country.

The NDC delegation expressed gratitude to the IGP, security commanders, and officers for their commitment to protecting the democratic process.

They also appealed for a fair, professional approach that would avoid the tragic incidents seen during the 2020 elections and the violence at the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election.

With just 14 days left until election day, the NDC is urging vigilance and transparency, calling on Ghanaians to "keep Eagle Eyes" on the Electoral Commission of Ghana and the New Patriotic Party.

The NDC continues to rally support for its Presidential Candidate, John Dramani Mahama, promoting his agenda for job creation and economic reforms under a proposed 24-hour economy initiative.

According to Dr Boamah, the NDC's stance reflects a collective commitment to peaceful, free, and fair elections as Ghanaians prepare to cast their votes in what is set to be a highly competitive presidential and parliamentary race.

Source: Classfmonline.com/Cecil Mensah