December 7 Polls: Act as guardians of the ballot – NDC Council of elders to Ghanaians

The Council of Elders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has appealed to the Electoral Commission (EC) to ensure free, fair, and credible elections as Ghana prepares to head to the polls on December 7, 2024.

The call was made during a press briefing held on December 3, 2024, in Accra, where the Council also urged Ghanaians to vote for former President John Dramani Mahama and NDC Parliamentary Candidates.

Addressing the media, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Chairman of the NDC Council of Elders, emphasized the importance of peaceful elections and expressed concerns about the commitment of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to maintaining peace.

“The antecedents of the NPP government where elections are concerned are nothing to write home about.

We keep hearing of plans to cause mayhem, similar to incidents at Ayawaso and Techiman in 2019 and 2020,” he stated.

While acknowledging the National Elections Task Force’s efforts to ensure a peaceful process, Alhaji Iddrisu called on the EC to address management concerns, including recent reports of last-minute reprinting of ballot papers for Special Voting in certain regions.

“The EC must ensure the accuracy of the figures it totals and avoid what happened in the 2020 elections when percentages kept changing,” he added.

The Council criticized the NPP government for what it described as eight years of mismanagement, corruption, and neglect.

It accused the government of abusing incumbency by distributing money and resources to voters in the run-up to the election while failing to address the underlying economic challenges during its tenure.

“Ghanaians will not be deceived by these last-minute gestures. The demand for change is nationwide, and the NPP’s days in office are numbered,” Alhaji Iddrisu said.

The Council praised John Mahama’s leadership qualities and urged Ghanaians to vote for him as a leader who prioritizes national interest and inclusivity.

“With John, success means lifting every Ghanaian,” the Council stated, describing him as a reassuring personality with a track record of integrity and service.

The Council also commended the energy and enthusiasm displayed by party members and volunteers during the campaign, urging them to intensify voter education and mobilization efforts in the remaining days before the election.

The Council encouraged Ghanaians to turn out in large numbers to vote and remain vigilant at polling stations to safeguard the electoral process.

“We urge every voter to act as a guardian of their ballot.

Let us all be out on the field on December 7, supporting and protecting the democratic process,” Alhaji Iddrisu urged.

The Council also reminded NDC polling agents of their critical role in ensuring the integrity of the vote, describing their assignment as a “call to national duty.”

Concluding the address, the Council described the 2024 election as a battle for democracy and the rescue of Ghana’s public institutions from corruption, impunity, and nepotism.

“This is a peculiar moment in our history.

It is a call to save our Republic.

No force can stand against the people’s might when they decide enough is enough,” the Council declared.