Mrs Ellen Osei, Deputy Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem (KEEA) has expressed concern about the alleged occurrence of vote buying during elections.
She said the practice was dangerous and did not only violate one’s voting rights but could alsoderail efficiency in the country’s political system.
Mrs Osei was speaking at an elections engagement forum with traditional authorities, women and other marginalized groups organised by the NCCE in the KEEA municipality.
She called on electorates not to allow politicians to induce them with gifts for their votes saying, “selling your votes amounts to selling your personality and future of your children”.
The forum, supported by the European Union (EU), formed part of activities lined up by the NCCE to deepen interest of electorates in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.
It was aimed at creating an atmosphere of tolerance and civic responsibility and awareness of the voter on the need to adopt the culture of tolerance to promote peace before, during and after the 2016 general elections.
Mrs Osei said traditional rulers and recognised leaders in the country are key to ensuring peace, order and stability in their respective traditional areas and communities.
She said the engagement focused on women because in many traditional settings, women collaborated very effectively with the youth who are the segment of the electorates mostly used by the politicians to perpetuate violence in the society.
She asked traditional leaders to get involved in the campaign for a peaceful election by talking to their people and desist from engaging in acts that could lead to violence.
She said voting for a candidate in an election was an independent decision and it was against the law to compel an individual to vote against his or her will.
Mrs Osei advised electorates to cast their votes based on the issues and consider candidates who have the competencies and the capabilities for bringing development in their area.
The NCCE Director cautioned supporters of political parties to desist from removing posters of their opponents and campaign with a good conscience to ensure unity and national development.
Activities lined up by the NCCE in the municipality includes, an engagement with Persons With Disability and queen mothers as well as the youth and a series of parliamentary debates for aspiring parliamentary candidates in the constituency.
Nana Kodwo Konduah VI, Omanhen of Edina Traditional Area commended the NCCE and on behalf of the Traditional council and pledged to ensure that the elections were held devoid of violence in the municipality.
Source: GNA
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