President John Mahama has promised to provide adequate security to ensure a violence free election, as Ghanaians go to the polls on November 7.
This comes after election observers raised concerns about pockets of violence witnessed across the country during the recent limited voters registration exercise.
Lots of violent cases were recorded in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions, a development that raised fears as to what might happen in the general elections which promises to be keenly contested between the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the largest opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Addressing the Ghanaian community on the sidelines of the just ended anti corruption summit organized by the United Kingdom government, President John Mahama said it is incumbent upon all political parties and the Electoral Commission to play their respective roles in delivering a credible, free and fair election.
“Elections are events that have many stakeholders. The President plays a certain part, the EC plays its part and the political parties play their part also. And so you are asking me to take personal responsibility for the security of the elections, yes…as far as the security agencies are under me, we’re going to make sure that everybody is able to vote safely and that any person who wants to disturb the peace of the country is dealt with but you need the cooperation of the political parties.
“You need the cooperation of the EC to conduct the election in a free and fair manner, and so it’s not only the personal responsibility of the president, it’s also the duty of all these agencies and the duty of every single Ghanaian who is a stakeholder in the elections. I will take responsibility for my part, what the president has to do to ensure a safe environment for voting to take place I will do, but you also do your part.”