Studies in the Upper East Region have shown that there have been an increase in motorbike crashes as a result of political rallies and activities in the Region. This came out at a forum on “Civilian –Military Relationship in an election year”, organized by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in Bolgatanga on Thursday. Participants at the forum included personnel of the security agencies, political parties, civil society organizations, assembly members, and youth and women’s groups. They said the accidents got worse especially during the visits of presidential candidates on campaign tours. The forum stressed the need for the leadership of political parties to educate and sensitize their supporters and party members to stop over speeding and over displaying on their motorbikes. Deputy Superintendent of Police Charles Obiri said most of the accident victims were breadwinners of families and when that happened their children and relatives suffer the most. He said the police were doing a lot to curtail motor crashes in the Region but it keeps on rising particularly as the election draws near and reiterated the need for political parties to advise their supporters. “If you, political parties, keep on losing your members to accidents then you will not get more members to vote for you and you will lose the election, he said. “If you electorate do not stop over speeding and over displaying on motorbikes which leads to your deaths then you cannot vote for the party which you cherish.” DSP Obiri, who is also the Regional Staff Officer of the Upper East Police Command, said there had been an increase in motorbike thefts in the Region and appealed to motorbike owners to be very vigilant. Mr Samuel Akolgo, a Civic Education Officer of NCCE who read a speech on behalf of the Regional Officer, Mr Abang Cletus, said Ghana had laid a strong foundation for the growth of democracy which had gained international recognition and nothing should be done disturb the peace before, during and after the general election.