By Edward Williams
Hohoe (V/R), Nov. 29, GNA – Dr Ken Ahorsu, Senior Research Fellow, Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy (LECIAD), says although the economic situation in the country may not be the best, it does not call for attack on people who are campaigning and on the opposite side.
“Instead of being annoyed and attacking people who are campaigning and seeing them as enemies, what you have to do is to look at how life is and vote for the person who is best to change your circumstance.”
Dr Ahorsu speaking during a Consultative Dialogues and Constituency Level Peace Pact in Hohoe said elections were not just events but involved money and time investments.
He said elections must not be based on hearsay hence the need for all to cross-check information they received before sharing with others.
Dr Ahorsu said although people might not trust the Electoral Commission, police, and other parties, they needed to pay attention to the process, laws, rights and how they could fight for their rights.
He said people must avoid ethnocentrism and use of divisive means of making the election process violent adding that people who had no roles assigned to them, must not force themselves but could report unlawful acts.
Dr Ahorsu urged religious leaders and traditional rulers to admonish their congregants and subjects to conduct themselves properly.
He called on the security agencies to do what was right, peaceful and be very professional while every citizen must ensure that the elections were peaceful.
Reverend Seth Mawutor, Volta Regional Chairperson, National Peace Council, said it was important to look at happenings in Hohoe, which was one of the flash points in the region due to the keen interest people had in the presidential and parliamentary elections.
He said peace was an essential commodity but was uncommon hence the need to search and work for it.
Rev Mawutor said the Council rolled out programmes that would ensure peaceful conduct before, during and after the 2024 general elections to help citizens and political actors identify various issues that would bring about peace.
The event was supported by the UNDP, British High Commission, Accra, UK International Development and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Mr Ernest Amedior, Hohoe Municipal Director, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), urged citizens and political actors to be of best behaviour, respect laid down rules and avoid alcohol consumption on election day.
He said citizens must work together to safeguard the elections through cooperation with electoral and election officers as well as avoid electoral offences.
Mr Enoch Danso Agyekum, Hohoe Municipal Electoral Officer, said the Commission was committed to peaceful, fair, and credible elections which would be acceptable by all stakeholders.
He said the Constituency had 70,644 voters with 725 election officials going into the 2024 general elections.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) George Asempah, Deputy Commander, Hohoe District Police said the police would assist in ensuring peaceful elections, protect electoral officers and citizens as well as maintain law and order.
He said the Police were mandated to draw the attention of the presiding officer regarding any irregularities found at a polling centre.
The Parliamentary Candidates of the National Democratic Party, People’s National Convention and a representative of the New Patriotic Party signed a Constituency Peace Pact.
GNA