The New Patriotic Party (NPP), in readiness for November 4th, has entreated its members to be torchbearers of the country’s proud democracy.
The Chair of the NPP’s Elections Committee, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, has reiterated the party’s commitment to adhering to the rules and regulations governing the internal elections.
He emphasized the significance of the Ghana Police in maintaining order and emphasized the party’s support for the Electoral Commission‘s independent oversight of the electoral procedures.
Professor Oquaye underscored the imperative for strict adherence to the established guidelines and urged all participants to act responsibly, recognizing the significance of upholding Ghana’s democratic principles during the process.
“We know the appropriate authority is the Ghana Police. It is not just an internal event which matters, it is our own thing, in fact, even a family meeting, if you have it and you don’t go according to the law and you start fighting, very soon the police will have to come in. So nothing is beyond the parameters of the Police whether it borders on peace and security of the country.
“We are assuring you that the regulations we have all signed up to which we are going to make available to the Police and already available to the EC, is going to be the blueprint of the process. Anyone who disregards this on that day should be dealt with according to law.”
Professor Aaron MIke Oquaye
Notably, the Presidential Elections Committee of the NPP released comprehensive guidelines for the primaries, outlining the rules and procedures to be observed at the 276 constituencies across the country and the Party Headquarters in Asylum Down, Accra.
Emphasizing the EC’s supervision of the elections, the guidelines prohibited any actions contrary to the electoral body’s directives. The committee underscored the exclusive responsibility of the police in overseeing security matters, limiting access beyond specified security perimeters to accredited delegates, committee members, contestants, and their authorized agents.
The guidelines further stipulated specific procedures, including the prohibition of campaign activities, canvassing for votes, or assembly of party members the day before the voting. The committee emphasized that delegates must adhere to strict voting protocols, ensuring a transparent and fair election process.
The guidelines also highlighted the necessity for voters to enter the voting areas individually, with assistance provided for the physically challenged. Additionally, the committee emphasized the importance of maintaining a non-partisan environment during the voting process, prohibiting delegates from wearing campaign paraphernalia or influencing other voters’ choices.
In light of these guidelines, Professor Oquaye urged all NPP members to strictly comply with the established rules, stressing the party’s esteemed position as a torchbearer of Ghana’s democracy.
“We want to establish that this country is a lawful nation and for that matter, in particular, the NPP as an advanced party, we claim to be fathers and mothers of democracy in Ghana, therefore, we must act in a manner that conforms with the relevant claims that we make. We, therefore, urge you to ensure that you do your work accordingly, there will be no no-go area in this process, Ghana is one republic and belongs to all of us.”
Professor Aaron MIke Oquaye
Ghana Police Assures NPP Of Maximum Security
Meanwhile, in anticipation of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential primaries on November 4, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare affirmed the party’s confidence in the comprehensive security measures to be implemented.
Speaking at a meeting between the NPP’s election committee, the Police, and officials from the Electoral Commission (EC) in Accra on October 26, Dr. Dampare emphasized the critical role of cooperation in ensuring a peaceful and incident-free electoral process.
“We want to assure you that on the 4 of November, we are going to give an overdose of security and it will be excellent, it will be awesome”, he pledged.
He pledged to enforce stringent security protocols during the primaries and called for the party’s collaboration to facilitate an orderly and secure voting environment across the nation.
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