Election 2024: You can't fly drones; it will infringe citizens' rights, cause security threats — Sammi Awuku to NDC

Sammi Awuku, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) and parliamentary candidate for the Akuapem North constituency has cautioned the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against the use of drones to monitor this year’s elections.

In an interview on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' morning show on Wednesday, 13th March, 2024, Awuku highlights the need to monitor elections but advised against the use of drones for monitoring.

"While it's crucial for political parties to monitor elections, the flying of drones is not a suitable option for the NDC," Awuku remarked.

He emphasized that drone usage during elections could violate individuals' rights.

"The decision to fly drones raises security concerns and could set a precedent for other parties to do the same. This could lead to confusion and potential security threats during the election process," he cautioned.

He added, ''When it comes to monitoring of elections, my advice to the NDC is that you don’t need drones to monitor elections because you will be infringing on the rights of people; but how you train your agents on that day, the quality of training you give them all contributes to the success of the elections."

Awuku's comments follow the NDC's plans to train party agents to fly drones for monitoring purposes during the polling process.

The announcement was made during the 'Building Ghana Tour' in the Greater Accra region by the NDC's regional chairman, Ashie Moore.

Concerned about the implications of widespread drone usage, Awuku urged political parties to focus on training their agents effectively rather than resorting to potentially disruptive monitoring methods.

"As we approach the high-stakes election, it's crucial for parties to prioritize peaceful and orderly processes. The focus should be on ensuring fair and transparent elections rather than introducing measures that could escalate tensions," Awuku stated.