By Rebecca Ekpe
Ahead of the September 2 Akwatia By-Election, hundreds of Police Personnel have been deployed, with the IGP vowing to diffuse activities of miscreants during the by-election. Experts also contend that Akwatia is a must watch, given the excesses in Ablekuma.
Rebecca Ekpe has been researching, in this report, that suggests that collaboration is key to ensuring a successful run of the Akwatia by- election. Furthermore, the role of Political Parties and Candidates, Security Agencies, the Electoral Commission, Civil Society, Voters, Citizens, as well as Traditional authorities are integral to ensuring the conduct of free, fair and peace polls at Akwatia.
Political Parties and Candidates:
Besides, the Electoral Commission’s pivotal role in electoral decorum, Political parties and their Candidates have the onus to ensure that the Akwatia by-election is free from rancor. The parties can ensure that this happens, simply by limiting activities that often heighten tensions such as vote buying and bussing of people to vote. Also, Political parties and their Candidates must respect the electoral laws, Vigilante law and security arrangements for the elections and not deploy macho men, Vigilante boys, or go to the elections with a retaliatory mindset based on what happened in the last by-election.
More importantly, Political Parties & Candidates ought to avoid inflammatory language, hate speech, or provocative campaigning that could inflame tensions, and ignite reprisals.
Ghana Police:
This time round all attention is on the Police. As promised by the hierarchy of the Ghana Police Service, it is expected that during the Akwatia by election, Intelligence gathering would be further enhanced, as well as the use of early-warning systems to detect and defuse potential violence before, during and after the elections.
Deploying trained personnel to polling stations and hotspots, to ensure adequate visibility without intimidating voters is also very critical. It is expected that the Police would establish quick-response units to deal with emergency situations, however, under strict adherence to human rights guidelines, and also promptly arrest and prosecute any perpetrators of violence to prevent impunity and deter violence at the polls.
Electoral Commission:
Ahead of the September 2 Akwatia by-election, it is expected that the Electoral Commission would provide timely and clear information on polling station, procedures, and results collation to reduce speculation and mistrust.
Furthermore, the EC should ensure adequate staffing, logistics, and materials to prevent delays that could spark frustration. Citizens are also expecting the EC to work closely with the security agencies to enforce the electoral code of conduct.
Media and Civil Society:
Experts say Civil Society & the Media ought to collaborate even more during the Akwatia by election by deploying credible observers to enhance transparency and reassure the public.
Also, educate voters on their rights, and the importance of peaceful participation, and lawful ways of seeking redress.
More importantly, the media should stay away from sensationalism and verify sources more critically before publishing or broadcasting. Above all, the media should promote peace messaging.
Traditional Authority/Religious Leaders:
The voices of Traditional & Religious Leaders are critical in ensuring peaceful polls in Ghana. Experts say as moral Voices of society, they should use their platforms to preach tolerance, respect, and non-violence.
Citizens/Voters:
Even more importantly, as citizens, voters would be expected on September 2 in Akwatia, to exercise restraint during voting, results collation, and declaration.
Voters are also to refuse to be used by politicians as tools for intimidation or electoral malpractice. Voters are expected to act as citizens and report suspicious activities of vote-buying, intimidation, or illegal possession of arms to the appropriate authority for redress before, during and after the by-election.
