Zeqblog Blog of Monday, 2 December 2024
Source: Okine Isaac
On this day, December 2, 2024, special voting for Ghana's general elections of 2024 got underway, giving election officials, media professionals, and security personnel a chance to vote before the main poll. One episode, nevertheless, has drawn calls for legal action and public censure.
A young man, identified on TikTok as Bra Alhassan and said to be in his 25s or 30s, has sparked controversy by recording and making public the candidate he voted for. He publicly declares his support for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), in the now-viral video.
Bra Alhassan may be heard stating, "No yawa," in the video. There is nothing that can stop Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. In Allah's name, he will prevail in this election." Many Ghanaians contend that the man should have realized his activities were illegal, even if it is unclear who he is—whether he is a journalist, police officer, or just a voter.
Ghana's electoral laws, which place a strong emphasis on ballot confidentiality as a fundamental component of democratic elections, are directly violated by recording or publicly revealing one's vote. On social media, the incident has sparked a contentious discussion, with many people demanding that he be arrested and charged right away.
"This is the height of foolishness. One Twitter user said, "He'll be pleading for mercy if the law goes after him now." "He needs to be arrested," said another. The integrity of our elections cannot be compromised by such actions.
Election observers and legal experts have also voiced their opinions, stressing that such acts not only violate election regulations but also have the potential to sway or threaten other voters. Such conduct jeopardizes the electoral process's legitimacy. To avoid a repetition, the Electoral Commission and law enforcement must act quickly, according to a political analyst.
All voters have been reminded by the Electoral Commission to carefully follow the guidelines that regulate the election process. The commission warned that infractions will result in harsh punishments and encouraged Ghanaians to uphold the sanctity of the ballot in a message that was previously made public.
Whether authorities will take serious action to handle the situation and send a clear message about honoring Ghana's electoral laws is still up in the air as the video continues to create traction.
You can also watch the video through the link below:
Link
Source: Brahassan55, TikTok