NCCE Takes Us to Electoral School (Page 27)

ON December 7, this year, Ghanaians will once again have the opportunity to elect a new president and Members of Parliament (MPs) to handle the affairs of the nation.
In spite of the fear being experienced by some people based on stories of election-related violence from some African countries, majority of Ghanaians are excited and anxiously looking forward to the election day. Excited because they surely believe that once again, Ghanaians will go through the process in such a manner that the rest of the world will have nothing to say but to salute .
But can anybody blame those who are apprehensive and have the feeling that some nasty thing could come out of the election? Some of us believe that group of people might be right since there are already instances to indicate that not all Ghanaians are peace loving after all.
It is significant to note that in recent times there have been alleged cases of murders, arson as well as physical and verbal attacks, all in the name of politics. What is making the situation tense is the fact that each of the two main political parties, namely the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are bent on winning at all cost. While the two presidential candidates talk about the need for peaceful elections, their followers by their actions and pronouncements promise us “fire and brimstone” on a daily basis.
That is the reason why all peace-loving citizens together with many recognised institutions are working hard towards free and fair elections, come Sunday, December 7. One such institution which has a constitutional backing to educate the public on their civic rights and responsibilities is the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE). To achieve that objective, the commission has compiled some tit-bits to help guide us before, during and after the elections.
In its opening statement, the NCCE observed that peace is priceless and nothing should therefore, be done to compromise the relative peace Ghanaians are currently enjoying.
Another important advice the commission gave was that those politicians bent on winning at all cost should note that politics is not a do -or- die affair and should therefore relax and allow things to go on in a normal way without pushing the whole country into political turmoil.
The important thing that the NCCE touched on is that all that is expected of Ghanaians under the circumstance is that on December 7, 2008, all registered voters should go to their respective polling centres and vote peacefully since “we are one nation, one people with one common destiny”.
A portion of the compilation stated that: “Make election 2008 peaceful, vote and let your vote be counted. Election 2008 should be free, fair, transparent and peaceful. Peaceful elections is what every Ghanaian wants, so be just, fair and kind to your opponent”.
Some Election Offences
It is important for voters to note that it is an offence for one to have his or her name occurring twice in the register of voters.
It is also illegal to vote or attempt to vote more than once in the same election; to remove any notice lawfully exhibited in connection with an election; to be in possession of a ballot box or to tamper or interfere in any way with a ballot box or its contents.
It is an offence to give or receive money, a gift, a loan or something of value before or after an election in order to induce a voter to vote or not to vote in a certain way.
Registered voters should note that it is criminal to impede or prevent a voter from freely exercising his or her vote, to disclose information about whom a voter is about to vote for or has voted for or in any way to breach the secrecy of the vote.
While in the process of voting, it is wrong for one to display his or her marked ballot paper in such a way as to make the candidate being voted for known to others. Voters are not supposed to wear or display any symbol or emblem (including items of clothing) indicating support for a particular party or candidate 24 hours to and or on voting day as well as make a speech or sing a song, or beat a gong-gong or a drum, in support of a political party or a candidate 24 hours to as well as on elections day.
To prevent a situation where people would get drunk and for that matter disturb the peace during election, it is considered an offence for anybody to sell intoxicating liquor within 500 metres of a polling station on the polling day.
ENSURING PEACEFUL ELECTIONS
To maintain peace, voters have been advised to respect all officials managing elections at the various polling stations throughout the country.
Voters are also advised to respect those they meet at polling stations which include the Presiding Officer, Polling Assistants, political party agents as well as the security personnel stationed at the stations.
It is also important for all Ghanaians to note that political party executives or political party supporters are not part of the administration of elections and should therefore not try to act as such.
What is expected of registered voters as they go to their various polling stations is patiently wait for their turn should they meet a queue.
Voters are advised to be patient and peaceful at their polling stations. When they receive their ballot paper, ensure that they thump print properly against the photograph and the political party symbol of their preferred candidate and drop them in the appropriate box.
All things being equal, voting is supposed to starts at 7.00 a.m. and end at 10p.m. Ballot papers will be counted when polling ends at 5.00 p.m. and results will be announced at the individual polling stations immediately after counting of votes ends.
When all registered voters go by these simple rules accordingly, Ghanaians will have nothing but peaceful elections where both the winner and loser would accept the results as being the voice of the people.