The Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Gregory Andrews has charged electorates in Ghana to step out in their numbers to exercise their civic rights on Monday.

According to him, the alternative to democracy is dictatorship and totalitarianism which he described as bad for human rights and healthy democracy to thrive.

Mr Gregory said voting is compulsory in Australia, unlike Ghana where people need to be convinced to do so.

"Voting is always on a Saturday to allow people to have time to vote. We have early voting, voting by mail and voting is like a celebration and it's mandatory".

H.E Gregory Andrews opined that from his observation and impression he got from political analysts, "Ghana's democracy is the strongest" on the Africa continent.

In a passionate appeal to citizens, he said; "I'm confident the Ghanaian people will have a peaceful and effective election devoid of violence and the voice of the people will be heard."

"Every Ghanaian should help protect Ghana's reputation as a peaceful and non-violence nation," he added.

The High Commissioner said this is the first time he will witness an election in another country and the enthusiasm is great.

Ghana goes to the polls on December 7 to elect presidential and parliamentary candidates after an earlier special voting exercise for security personnel, journalists and EC officials last Tuesday.

Candidates for the two major political parties, NDC and NPP are optimistic of winning.

The Electoral Commission in a meeting with the Interparty Advisory Committee (IPAC) have agreed on a decision which led to the president declaring December 7, 2020, a public holiday.

Over seven million voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballots through a biometric system with strict adherence to Covid-19 safety protocols.