NCCE Urges Ghanaians to Resist Vote-Buying and Uphold Electoral Integrity.

Accra: The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has issued a caution to Ghanaians, warning against the practice of vote buying and selling, which contributes to political corruption and hinders national development. According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Ernest Antwi, a Senior Civic Officer with the Twifo-Hemang-Lower-Denkyira District of the Commission, expressed concerns about candidates purchasing votes to secure their positions. He stated that these candidates often seek to recover their investments through unethical means, thereby impeding the nation's progress. While acknowledging that poverty influences such behavior, he emphasized the importance of integrity in the electoral process, urging voters to resist monetary inducements and fulfill their civic duties honestly. Mr. Antwi explained that vote buying typically involves offering gifts, money, or other incentives in exchange for votes during elections. He highlighted recent occurrences of this unethical practice during the parliamentary pri maries of both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He described the practice as not only unethical but also illegal, noting that the Representation of the People's Act, 1992 (Act 284) prohibits vote buying and imposes legal repercussions on offenders. Additionally, the Criminal Offences Act of 1960 (Act 29) criminalizes bribery in elections, underscoring the severe legal consequences. Mr. Antwi also cautioned against hate speech, warning that it could incite conflict ahead of the General Election. He urged citizens to be mindful of their words, as they could lead to misunderstandings and animosity. He criticized the propagation of insults on social media by politicians, which could incite violence, and called for a change in discourse. He encouraged Ghanaians to elect leaders based on thorough evaluation rather than attacking their political adversaries. He further advised citizens to avoid misinformation and disinformation during the election period to prevent misunder standings and discord. As elections approach, he warned of the potential for rampant misinformation, with individuals exploiting social media to disseminate false and misleading information. He also advised media outlets against allowing politicians to use their platforms for insults or inciting violence, noting that the culture of insults and ethnic divisive campaigning is a significant threat to Ghana's democracy. In conclusion, Mr. Antwi encouraged all stakeholders to contribute to ensuring a peaceful Election 2024.