2024 Election: The military shouldn't be anywhere near polling stations - Adam Bonaa

Security expert Dr. Adam Bonaa has urged the government to reconsider deploying military personnel for front-line electoral duties in the upcoming 2024 elections.

Speaking at a recent lecture in Accra, he emphasised that the duties of the military are clearly defined in the 1992 Constitution.

“We are going into the 2024 elections; the military should not be anywhere near any electoral area. The military should not be anywhere near any polling station. We are not under attack. The military’s role is clearly defined by the constitution. The President is to declare a state of emergency, and only when a state of emergency is declared are they deployed—and when deployed, they take charge,” he stated.

Dr. Bonaa also wondered why military officers are assigned to protect the Electoral Commission Chairperson, Jean Mensa, questioning whether this level of military involvement aligns with democratic principles.

“Again, we have the EC Chairperson with about 20 military officers stationed in front of her house. I’m not the one saying it—the media are here. Twenty military officers armored vehicles in front of her house. I don’t think any of you have visited Iran, Sudan, or any war-torn country, even the Head of State in those countries do not have 20 armored vehicles parked in front of their homes. So, the notion here is that I could get it wrong, and the state will protect me,” he added.

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