Election 2024: Civil Society Groups call for urgent action to curb potential threats in Volta Region

The Joint Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have voiced strong concerns over potential threats to the upcoming December 7 general elections in Ghana, focusing particularly on risks to the electoral process in the Volta region.

At a press conference titled "Nipping Electoral Threats in the Bud; Volta on the Spotlight," held on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at the Volta Regional Museum, CSO leaders highlighted what they believe are government actions undermining the integrity of the election.

Mr. Richard Kasu, Executive Director of Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CFF-Ghana), stressed the urgent need to address mounting threats to democratic processes, especially in the Volta region, a stronghold of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). Kasu expressed concern over alleged government tactics aimed at manipulating the election through voter intimidation and disenfranchisement in opposition regions.

"In a country celebrated as a beacon of democracy in Africa, it is deeply concerning to witness the erosion of democratic principles through intimidation and exclusion," Kasu stated. "Today, we aim to bring these issues to the forefront and demand action from all electoral stakeholders."

One of the most pressing issues discussed was the government’s decision to deploy military personnel to border towns, including those in the Volta region, under the pretense of enforcing a grain export ban after drought-induced crop failures in northern and central Ghana. Kasu argued that this deployment is "a government-sponsored scheme of ethnic profiling," designed to suppress voter turnout in opposition strongholds.

The CSOs cited the 2020 elections, during which a similar military presence was justified under COVID-19 restrictions, leading to voter apathy in affected areas. According to Kasu, such actions are part of a larger strategy by the ruling government to manipulate election outcomes in its favor.

"The presence of the military during election periods is no coincidence," Kasu asserted. "It is a calculated move to intimidate voters and disrupt the democratic process, and it must not continue."

Beyond the military deployment, the CSOs raised alarms about potential delays in the distribution of voting materials to regions like Volta. They expressed concerns that the Electoral Commission might be pressured to delay voting materials to opposition-dominant areas, which could prevent many registered voters from casting ballots in a timely manner.

"We have credible intelligence indicating that the Electoral Commission may be directed to delay the delivery of electoral materials to the Volta region and other opposition strongholds," Kasu warned. "This could lead to significant voter disenfranchisement, particularly in rural areas where access and communication are already limited."

The CSOs also urged the Electoral Commission to ensure prompt delivery of voting materials to all regions, guaranteeing that every eligible voter has the opportunity to participate.

Another major issue highlighted was the possibility of power outages during the ballot counting process. The CSOs cautioned that selective power cuts could be used to compromise election results, especially in critical regions like Volta. Kasu called on the government and the Electoral Commission to guarantee an uninterrupted power supply throughout the election period.

"We cannot afford power outages during this critical period," Kasu emphasized. "Any disruption to the ballot-counting process could raise serious questions about the election’s integrity."

The CSOs outlined several demands to address these threats and ensure a fair election:

1. A detailed security roadmap from the government and election security taskforce, with transparent guidelines for military and police deployment in all regions, including Volta.

2. A commitment from the government to avoid deploying military personnel to Volta in any manner that could intimidate voters, such as nighttime operations.

3. Transparency from the Electoral Commission regarding the equitable distribution of election materials to all constituencies and polling stations.

4. A government guarantee of consistent power supply throughout the election period to ensure uninterrupted voting and counting processes.

The press conference concluded with a call for all electoral stakeholders—including political parties, the Electoral Commission, and security agencies—to prioritize the safeguarding of Ghana’s democracy. The CSOs warned that any attempt to undermine the integrity of the election would have serious consequences for the nation’s democratic future.

"We are here to ensure the voices of the people of Volta and all other regions are respected," Kasu said. "Ghana’s democracy is not for sale. We must all stand together to protect it."