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Zeqblog Blog of Saturday, 7 December 2024
Source: Okine Isaac
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has strongly cautioned President Nana Akufo-Addo with just hours to go before the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections, calling for an immediate stop to the deployment of military forces in local areas.
NDC General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey issued a statement in which the party charged that the government was engaging in illegal and unconstitutional militarization to intimidate voters and undermine popular will.
It is an insult to our democracy when armed military soldiers with machine guns, sniper rifles, and armored vehicles are sent into peaceful towns. A battle is not an election. The statement said that law enforcement, not the military, is responsible for keeping the peace during elections.
These activities, according to the NDC, are part of a conscious effort to deny residents their rights, especially in areas where the opposition is strong. The party cautioned that such strategies damage Ghana’s electoral process’ legitimacy.
In a statement released the day before, the Ghana Armed Forces made it clear that unless the Ghana Police Service specifically requested it, no military troops would be stationed at voting places. However, this guarantee did little to allay the NDC’s worries.
At a previous press conference in Kumasi, Joseph Yamin, the National Organiser of the NDC, asserted that 200 “so-called military officers” had been sent to the Ashanti Region in order to scare voters.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Akufo-Addo was urged by the NDC to quickly remove military soldiers from local areas.
“This militarization is unacceptable and needless.” The statement claimed that it simply helps to sow fear and erode the peaceful character of our election process.
The opposition party called on voters to maintain composure and vigilance throughout the polls, restating its dedication to peace and democratic principles.
The NDC reaffirmed its call for a peaceful, transparent, and equitable election process as Ghanaians get ready to cast their ballots.
“Ghana’s democracy has been a shining light in Africa, and we must guard it jealously. The will of the people must be respected at all costs,” the statement concluded.
https://www.pulse.com.gh/articles/news/politics/ndc-warns-akufo-addo-over-military-deployment-for-tomorrows-elections-2024120621032242959