Ahead of the December 7 general elections, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has encouraged all Ghanaians to exercise their civic rights responsibly, cooperate with security personnel and refrain from any acts that could disrupt the peace.
GAF reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the stability and sovereignty of the nation whilst protecting the integrity of the election process.
In a statement announcing a decision that no military personnel will be stationed at any polling station during the 2024 general elections, GAF said that the military will only be deployed on the back of a formal request from the Ghana Police Service for additional security reinforcements.
In a statement, GAF said “As part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining national security and peace during this critical democratic exercise, GAF wishes to reiterate that no military personnel will be stationed at any polling station. GAF’s presence will be limited to standby support, with the primary responsibility for election security remaining with the Ghana Police Service (GPS).
“The military will only be deployed upon request by the GPS. This collaborative approach ensures that the
Elections proceed smoothly and peacefully while law and order are maintained.”
The statement added that “The military’s role, as outlined, will be limited to standby support, with the Ghana Police Service (GPS) taking the lead in ensuring security at polling stations.
GAF also urged the public to report people who impersonate to ensure that appropriate action is taken against such individuals or groups.
“In the spirit of transparency and to prevent any misunderstandings, we encourage the public to report any
military personnel, individual(s) identifying themselves as GAF personnel or any individual(s) wearing
military-patterned attire/accoutrements found at any polling station to the nearest Police Station or call the
Following GPS toll-free numbers: 18555 or 0800 311 311. This will ensure that appropriate action is taken against such individuals or groups to maintain security as well as the integrity of the election
process.
“GAF wishes to encourage all Ghanaians to exercise their civic rights responsibly, cooperate with security personnel and refrain from any acts that could disrupt the peace. GAF reiterates its commitment to safeguarding the stability and sovereignty of the nation whilst protecting the integrity of the election process.”
Meanwhile, the Special Voting exercise which forms part of the 2024 general elections will be taking place today Monday, December 2 across 14 regions of Ghana.
About 131,478 voters, constituting 0.007 per cent of the total registered electorate of 18,741,159, are expected to take part in this Special Voting.
The Eastern and Western Regions are however excluded from today’s exercise.
Explaining the reason for the exclusion of the Eastern and Western Regions, Chairperson of the Commission, Jean Mensa at a press briefing on Sunday, December 1, 2024 announced that the decision was taken after a single defaced ballot paper meant for the Presidential election for the Eastern Region was leaked out of the printing house.
“The special voting for Eastern and Western Regions will not take place on Monday, December 2 as planned. It will now take place on Thursday, December 5,” Jean Mensa said.
According to the EC, the defaced ballot papers although had been earmarked for destruction by the company, “it found it way out of the printing house. The commission was informed by the National Security that one single defaced ballot paper meant for the Presidential election for the Eastern Region had been taken out of the printing house.”
“The printing was undertaken by Rocheck Limited and supervised and observed by the National Investigation Bureau, the National Security as well as the agents of the political parties and EC staff,” she added.
The Commission recalled ballot papers for the Eastern Region and reprinted them.
For the Western Region, the ballot papers have also been recalled for a reprint because it was the same printing house, Rocheck Limited that printed ballot papers for the Eastern Region.
The Commission together with the parties agreed for ballot papers of both regions to be reprinted.
The Commission said three printing houses had been engaged to reprint the ballot papers for the two regions and information will be provided to the various political parties.
“The commission is of the view that as part of its efforts to remain transparent it was important to inform the political parties about the leakage of this single ballot paper for the presidential in the Eastern Region,” Jean Mensa said.
The special voting arrangement is intended to accommodate voters who will be performing election-related duties on the main polling day.
It includes personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces, National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), National Security, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service, and Information Services Department.
Additionally, it includes members of the National Ambulance Service, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Prisons Service, Ghana Journalists Association, Ghana Police Service, and the National Media Commission.
This early voting ensures that these individuals can exercise their right to vote without conflicting with their professional responsibilities during the elections.
However, the results of the special voting will not be declared until after the general elections.
