How do we tackle violence at the registration centres?
We ask our readers on how to tackle violence at the registration centres.
David Osei Bonsu
Member of Ghana's Youth Presidential Cabinet
If there’s ever a misunderstanding about someone you have a suspicion about, the civil way is to constructively lodge a complaint instead of resorting to violence or using aggression to communicate your issues.
Advertisement
This is what I expect to be done at the various registration centres during the voters registration exercise.
All the political parties must rally behind the Electoral Commission (EC) to be able to discharge their duties effectively.
They must desist from creating unnecessary tension and suspicion in times like these.
Community members should also rise against these violence when they suspect same.
Talking peace is not enough, but exhibiting it is what is key.
We should also desist from using provocative words against one another at the registration centres in order not to inflame passion and anger.
It is high time people were made to understand that their actions are governed by the laws of the country for which they will be prosecuted if they go against them.
Joseph Kpormegbey
Journalist
There is always the desire for a peaceful ambience at polling centres, be it during voter registration or elections.
Unfortunately, this has not been the case as some polling centres in the country have been riddled with pockets of violence, marring the otherwise peaceful exercise preached by the EC.
I witnessed bitter reactions from eligible individuals who were taking part in the exercise in my area.
If the political parties can caution their agents to desist from such peace breaching behaviours and let the human traffic in the queues at the centres flow in peace, I don’t think any well-meaning person would be provoked enough to either spark or fuel violence at any of the centres.
Esther Nhyiraba Adjei
Teacher
In order not to create violence at the registration centres of the ongoing voters registration, there should be adequate security and training for electoral officers to enhance their work with those who come to the centres.
People should be educated on the processes to follow to raise objections at the centres instead of resorting to violence.
Ellen Esinam Agbemasu
Assistant Administrator/Philanthropist
I think the police should be allowed to do their work professionally and track those who engage in any form of violence during the registration exercise.
If we all abide by the laws, we will curb the level of indiscipline in our society such that people wouldn’t have to resort to violence at the least provocation.
The registration is not a do or die affair.
Our leaders should learn truth and honesty and should avoid setting one group against the other.
We must all feel free and secured as we go to the registration centres.
Dorcas Sarpomaa Appiah
National Service Person
Healthy and effective dialogue among electoral stakeholders is one of the ways to tackle violence at the registration centres during this time of the voters registration exercise.
Political parties, human rights organisations and the security agencies should come out with a code of conduct which will serve as a guide during the process.
This will help build up on the flow of communication concerning information exchange.
Whatever the case may be, dialogue is the surest way to use to resolve any violence that may rear its ugly head.
Rev Eric Amoako Agyemang
Dormaa Ahenkro Area Head Pastor of Christ Apostolic Church International
Monitoring and education are activities that need to be carried out on a long-term basis in order to minimise the level of violence during registration and elections.
Citizens must be educated on this before such exercises begin.
I believe that when there is a strong security presence at the registration centres, it will scare miscreants who want to foment troubles.
People must also be allowed to use the Challenge Form if they have doubts about the citizenship of some individuals.
Additionally, busing people from one electoral area to another for registration should not be encouraged since that can lead to misunderstanding.
Daniel Marfo
CEO of Tech World Ghana
Violence usually occur when there is misunderstanding between two or more people.
But I believe people whose behaviours are detrimental to the existence of society sometimes deliberately cause violence at the registration centres.
The police and the military are the key security agencies who can work together to stop these acts of violence at any point in time.
They can easily calm tensions no matter how high they may be.
Patricia Amoah
Teller
Political parties should bear in mind that this is a national exercise being carried out by the EC and not for scoring political points.
I find it difficult to understand why some Members of Parliament should be visiting registration centres in the company of hoodlums to cause mayhem.
I therefore, think politicians should not be allowed at the registration centres during the exercise, except authorised officials.