Emmanuel Attah, the Dormaa West District Director of the National Centre for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Bono Region, has advised the public to be alert and report suspicious characters to the security services, ahead of the December 7 polls.

He said violent extremism and terrorism are common nowadays, hence the need for everybody to remain watchful and also endeavour to crosscheck or verify their sources before they spread any information.

Mr Attah gave the advice when speaking at a meeting on the European Union (EU) funded “Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism” (PCVE) programme, being implemented by the NCCE and held at Nkrankwanta.

It was attended by representatives of political parties, youth groups, religious leaders, security services and traditional authorities.

Mr Attah said extremist groups and individuals used misinformation and disinformation in their operations, saying, they normally targeted and engaged the unemployed youth for their unscrupulous activists.

“They also exploit weaknesses in the economic conditions of the countries, bribery and all forms of inducement targeting the vulnerable for radicalism,” he stated.

Touching on the December 7, polls, Mr Attah said the 1992 Constitution required that every registered, but eligible voter cast their ballot on December 7, and advised the people not to resort into political violence as a means of “electing our leaders.”

He said political violence undermined or compromised national security, and thereby disturbed relative peace and stability.

Superintendent Prince Asante, the Dormaa West District Police Commander, urged the people to support the police to maintain law and order before, during and after the General Elections.

“Section 70 of the criminal code stipulates that whoever intentionally and unlawfully causes harm to anybody shall be guilty of first-degree felony offence,” he stated and urged the people to report trouble makers to the police.