The Ghana Police Service has committed to maintaining law and order during the upcoming nationwide protest organized by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. The protest, which is set to take place across all 16 regional capitals, stems from the party’s concerns regarding alleged discrepancies in the voter register managed by the Electoral Commission (EC).
The NDC has voiced frustration over what it perceives as significant flaws in the register ahead of the 2024 general elections, prompting the party to organize a large-scale demonstration to demand action.
At a press briefing held on Monday, September 16, 2024, ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Director of Police Public Affairs, reassured the public that the Ghana Police Service is fully prepared to ensure the safety of all participants and bystanders during the demonstration. She emphasized the importance of maintaining peace during the event, adding that the police would deploy officers to all the regional capitals to provide security and support for both the demonstrators and the general public.
“We are fully equipped to provide the necessary security throughout the demonstration. Our officers have been briefed, and we are ready to carry out our duties in accordance with the law to ensure a peaceful protest,” ACP Ansah-Akrofi stated. She encouraged all participants to cooperate with law enforcement and to remain peaceful, reminding the public that the police are there to protect them and ensure that the event proceeds without incident.
The NDC’s demonstration is aimed at bringing attention to what the party claims are discrepancies in the voter register. NDC leaders have raised concerns over the integrity of the register, accusing the Electoral Commission of allowing irregularities that could undermine the credibility of the upcoming elections. Party officials have argued that unless these issues are addressed, they risk disenfranchising voters and casting doubt on the fairness of the election process.
As part of the protest, NDC leaders plan to submit petitions to the regional offices of the Electoral Commission, as well as to the EC’s headquarters in Accra. These petitions are expected to outline the party’s specific grievances and demand immediate corrective action. According to party officials, the discrepancies they have identified could potentially affect the accuracy of the voter register and, by extension, the outcome of the elections.
The police have assured the NDC leadership that the protest will be closely monitored to ensure it complies with the Public Order Act of 1994 (Act 491), which regulates the organization of public demonstrations in Ghana. ACP Ansah-Akrofi highlighted that the NDC has been reminded of its responsibilities under the law, particularly concerning the need to ensure that the protest is peaceful and orderly.
“We have engaged with the organizers and reminded them of their obligations under the Public Order Act. We expect that they will adhere to the guidelines and cooperate fully with our officers to prevent any disruptions or violence,” ACP Ansah-Akrofi added. She emphasized that while the police respect the right to protest, they will not tolerate any breaches of the law or actions that threaten public safety.
The upcoming demonstration has generated significant attention, with many Ghanaians eager to see how the situation unfolds. Political analysts have noted that the protest is likely to draw a large crowd, given the importance of the voter register in determining the legitimacy of the elections. The NDC’s concerns about the register have resonated with many of its supporters, who fear that irregularities could sway the outcome of the polls.
In the lead-up to the protest, various civil society organizations and political commentators have called for calm and urged both the NDC and the Electoral Commission to engage in constructive dialogue. Some have suggested that the protest could serve as an opportunity for both sides to address their differences and work towards resolving the issues with the voter register. Others, however, have expressed concern that the demonstration could escalate into a larger confrontation if tensions are not managed carefully.
As the NDC prepares for the protest, party officials have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the Electoral Commission’s handling of the voter registration process. They argue that several names have been wrongly omitted from the register, while others have been included without proper verification. These discrepancies, they claim, could have a profound impact on the election results and ultimately undermine the democratic process.
The NDC has been relentless in its pursuit of electoral reforms, calling for greater transparency and accountability from the Electoral Commission. The party has demanded that the EC address the issues with the voter register and provide clear explanations for any discrepancies that have been identified. As the protest approaches, the NDC leadership has urged its supporters to remain peaceful and to use the demonstration as a platform to demand fairness and justice in the electoral process.
For the Ghana Police Service, the primary focus remains on maintaining law and order throughout the demonstration. ACP Ansah-Akrofi reiterated that while the police are prepared to handle any situation that may arise, they are hopeful that the event will proceed without incident. She called on all participants to respect the law and to work with the police to ensure a peaceful protest.
As the NDC’s nationwide demonstration unfolds, the eyes of the nation will be on the party’s efforts to draw attention to the alleged flaws in the voter register. The outcome of the protest, and the response from the Electoral Commission, could have far-reaching implications for the 2024 general elections, making this a pivotal moment in Ghana’s political landscape.
