By Opesika Tetteh Puplampu
Ada, Nov. 25, GNA — The Ada East District’s Local Accountability Network (LAnet) of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has educated first-time voters in the district on how to cast their ballots in the upcoming December 7 general election.
The education carried out for over 1000 first-time voters, was also to highlight the significance and importance of voting as citizens of Ghana.
Madam Betty Sackey of the Ayongo Foundation, leading the LAnet, said the education was aimed at empowering and preparing them for the upcoming election.
She demonstrated the vote-casting process to them, showing them how to fold the ballot papers to avoid spoiling them and wasting their votes.
She also asked them to go to the polling station early and cast their votes, return home, and wait for the counting and declaration.
According to her, it was good to be at the polling station to observe how the ballot was being counted, adding that it was equally good to stay at home and read, watch, or listen to the elections’ outcome in the media.
Mrs. Elizabeth Agyemang, Ada East District Director of the Commission on Human Rights Administration Justice (CHRAJ), urged the first-time voters to exercise their franchise devoid of any influence.
She noted that Sierra Leone, Senegal, and other countries experienced war as a result of electoral misunderstandings.
She encouraged the first-time voters to embrace the power given them by the constitution and let their votes reflect the true state of living as Ghanaians, saying, “Even though you have been given the power to vote, the same constitution tasked us
to cast a peaceful ballot to maintain peaceful coexistence in the country. If you want to watch how the ballot papers are being counted, do that also in peace.”
She noted that it was important to present oneself to be voted for and to vote for whoever presents themselves.
According to her, the Ghana Police Service has the mandate to protect lives and properties and would apprehend people who engage in acts of lawlessness, hence the need for the first-time voters to conduct themselves well to avoid having issues with the police.
Mrs. Agyemang stated that there were local and international observers who were taking notes of Ghana’s election processes, hence the need for electorates to conduct themselves well for a peaceful election, stating that, “the development of the nation stands on your involvement in the elections, and so don’t use that opportunity to rather destroy the nation.”
Mr. James Dogbe, a member of the LAnet, noted that the election would start at 07:00 hours and end at 17:00 hours, reiterating that it would be best for the first-time voters to go to the centres as early as possible to cast their votes in peace.
“A police officer at the polling station will stand behind the last person to indicate that voting time has passed; so, you need to be there before 5:00pm to avoid any disappointments and embarrassments,” he stated.
Mr. Dogbe, who is also the NCCE Ada East District Administrator, urged them to vote according to the policies of the candidates and not fall for incentives given them by politicians, as it could cost them their rights and delay the country’s development for the next four years, which could affect their future and the future of Ghana as a country.
GNA