Several concerning isolated events were reported yesterday during the Special Voting Exercise held to allow security personnel, media practitioners and election officials to cast their votes in advance. These included:

• alleged attempts to buy votes in Ayawaso West Wuogon, Greater Accra Region and Sagnarigun, Northern Region,
• reports of voter impersonation from Ablekuman Central, Greater Accra Region.
• reported attempt of a voter to take a photograph of his ballot after voting.

The Progressive Alliance for Ghana unreservedly condemns all attempts of individuals and political parties who engage in any activity which directly or indirectly interferes with the delivery of free and fair elections in Ghana.

We consider these incidents, taken together, as being particularly concerning as they characterised the voting day of no other group than the security personnel - the very people upon whom the nation relies to protect the integrity of the election results.

In light of these unfortunate events, we call on all citizens and institutions of our beautiful motherland to rise to the responsibility of safeguarding the election results for the peace and progress of the nation.

We call for personal discipline. Every citizen, whether a vote seeker or a voter must strive for integrity. Vote seekers must not under any circumstances engage in any activity tantamount to vote buying. No money ‘gifts’ nor material ‘gifts’ such as food, clothes, or others should be offered to voters in exchange for their votes. “Free and fair elections” means people are indeed free from coercion and inducements and allowed to make their own decisions.

We remind our security institutions that in this critical time in the history of our country the nation relies on them to do their best for Ghana, without any fear, favour or bias towards any political party or personality, for the peace and wellbeing of the nation.

We call for cooperation between law enforcement agencies and individuals in the nation. Let citizens be vigilant to record and report any malpractices we might come across to the relevant law enforcement agencies promptly.

Together, let’s all put our best foot forward towards making Election 2024 a big success. Let Ghana win again. Peace and Prosperity to our Homeland Ghana. God bless us all.

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The writer is the flagbearer of the Progressive Alliance for Ghana.