The Development Consultant and Civil Society Elections Management Expert at the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), Douglas Quartey, has cautioned political party agents against succumbing to misinformation and disinformation at polling stations during the 2024 elections.

He noted that credible and peaceful elections depend significantly on the conduct and vigilance of polling station agents, urging them to uphold transparency and professionalism in their roles.

In an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, November 30, Mr Quartey noted that misinformation, particularly at polling and collation centers, poses a serious threat to peaceful outcomes.

“Political parties agents should also ensure that their agents at the polling stations, and that's where my interest is, that in terms of the observation, the counting and the processes, they shouldn't fall for misinformation and disinformation, which is a threat to credible and peaceful elections,” he said.

He added that political parties must educate their agents to respect the democratic process, noting that in every election, there are both winners and losers.

“I think the message to the political parties, to the extent that they are committed to peace, means that they are also committed to the rules of democracy, which indicate that in an election, definitely there will be winners, and then they are going to be losers. Whatever happens, like football, the decisions should be respected.”

Mr. Quartey also underscored the collective responsibility of citizens, political parties, and institutions like the Electoral Commission (EC) in ensuring a credible electoral process, stressing the need for clear communication and non-adversarial engagement between stakeholders, particularly when addressing concerns or clarifying issues.

“What is needed is clear rules and rapid information dissemination. When concerns are raised, they should be handled constructively. Often, the adversarial tone from some institutions can erode trust,” he observed.

While acknowledging the Electoral Commission’s track record of organizing elections, Mr. Quartey urged the EC to prioritise timely and transparent communication to build public confidence.

“The EC has done this before, and their preparedness is evident. However, they need to communicate more rapidly and effectively, especially when addressing issues that arise during the process,” he added.

Mr. Quartey also called on all stakeholders to work collaboratively to ensure a peaceful election, emphasising that vigilance and respect for the process are paramount.