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 polls. Experts also contend that Akwatia is a must-watch, given the excesses in Ablekuma.
Rebecca Ekpe has been researching, in this report, which 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 is integral to ensuring the conduct of free, fair and peaceful 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 rancour. 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 and 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 will 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 will 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 will provide timely and clear information on polling stations, 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 and the media ought to collaborate even more during the Akwatia by-election by deploying credible observers to enhance transparency and reassure the public.
They should also educate voters on their rights, 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 Authorities/Religious Leaders:
The voices of traditional and 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, citizens and voters will be expected on September 2 in Akwatia to exercise restraint during voting, results collation and declaration.
Voters are also urged not to allow themselves to be used by politicians as tools for intimidation or electoral malpractice. Voters are expected to act as responsible 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.
