The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has assured citizens that the general elections in Bawku will take place as scheduled, despite ongoing security challenges and renewed conflicts in the area, which have claimed several lives.
William Obeng Adarkwa, the Upper East Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, addressed the concerns during an interview on Channel One TV on 19 November 2024.
He stated that the EC is collaborating closely with security agencies to create a safe environment for the elections.
“For the commission, we are prepared. The issue in Bawku is purely a security matter, so when it comes to general security for a particular place or community, it is the Ghana Police Service who are in charge. We are liaising with them, and day in and day out, they are updating us on the security situation,” Adarkwa said.
Highlighting the commission’s readiness to conduct free, fair, and peaceful elections in the area, Adarkwa noted that officials are undergoing training sessions to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills to manage the electoral process effectively under challenging conditions.
Although the police have not indicated that elections cannot be held in Bawku, Adarkwa urged the community to maintain peace during the period.
“We are going ahead to train our officials and give them the necessary skills that will let them conduct elections over there. We appeal to the people themselves [in Bawku] to create an atmosphere which is peaceful so that we can have our officials and materials at designated polling stations to conduct the elections as mandated under the law,” he said.
He added: “The police are in charge, and so far, we haven’t had any adverse information suggesting it can’t be done. We are preparing and training all levels of officials who are supposed to take part and work assiduously on the election day to deliver. So, everything is under control as far as the commission is concerned.”
MAG/OGB
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