NCCE Warns Voters Against Vote-Buying Ahead of 2024 ElectionsNCCE Warns Voters Against Vote-Buying Ahead of 2024 Elections By Laudia Sawer Accra, July 6, GNA – The Accra Metro Office of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) has sounded an alarm about the illegal practice of buying and selling votes in the upcoming 2024 general elections. NCCE Director for Accra Metro, Mr. Stanley Quaynor, revealed that during discussions with eligible voters, many expressed their intention to collect money from politicians for their votes, justifying it as public funds that belong to all Ghanaians. However, Quaynor strongly cautioned against such actions, citing the Representatives Act of 1992 (PNDCL 284), which clearly prohibits vote-buying by politicians and the selling of votes by citizens. The NCCE has been actively engaging with various identifiable groups under the 1992 Constitution, including political parties, security services, educational institutions, trade associations, and drivers’ unions. He noted that some of these groups have called for an amendment to the 1992 Constitution to reduce the current powers of the president. The Constitution Week celebration, which commenced in 2001, serves as a reminder of Ghana’s transition to constitutional democracy in 1992. It calls on Ghanaians and security services to uphold the 1992 Constitution and prevent its abuse. Quaynor emphasized the duties and responsibilities of citizens, as outlined in Article 41 of the Constitution. The NCCE has also highlighted the importance of peaceful elections, non-violence, political and religious tolerance, and the dangers of disinformation and fake news. The Commission advocates for increased participation of women and marginalized groups, such as people with disabilities, in political leadership roles.
By Laudia Sawer
Accra, July 6, GNA – The Accra Metro Office of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) has warned eligible voters against buying votes in the upcoming general elections.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency on the activities to mark the 2024 Constitution Week celebrations, Mr. Stanley Quaynor, NCCE Director for the Accra Metro, said that a number of voters they had spoken to indicated that they would be raising money to be given to them by politicians to vote for them.
He informed the GNA about a cooperation program his organization had with twenty groups identifiable in the 1992 constitution.
The theme for the Constitution Week celebration was: “Together we can build Ghana, so join us.”
Mr Quaynor explained that voters said they would collect the money because it was public funds that belonged to all Ghanaians.
However, he warned them against such acts, explaining that it was illegal for politicians to buy votes and for citizens to sell their votes.
He referred those interested in selling and buying votes to the Representatives Act of 1992 (PNDCL 284), which prohibits vote buying.
According to him, the NCCE had contacts with political parties, security services, educational institutions, trade associations, drivers’ unions and other recognizable groups.
He said some members of these recognisable groups were also calling for an amendment to the 1992 constitution to limit the current powers of the president, as they felt it was too much.
He described the celebration as follows: Constitutional Week was initiated in 2001 by the NCCE to remind Ghanaians and the security services of Ghana’s decision to return to constitutional democracy in 1992 and to urge them to defend the 1992 Constitution against all forms of abuse and violation.
Mr Quaynor emphasised the duties of citizens as enshrined in Article 41 of the Constitution.
He added that during the discussions with the groups, the need for peaceful elections, non-violence, political and religious tolerance and the threat of disinformation, misinformation and fake news were discussed.
He also called for promoting the participation of women and other marginalized groups, such as people with disabilities, in political office.
GNA
