Deputy Ranking Member on the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament, Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli, has warned that the presence of military personnel at polling centres can discourage citizens from exercising their franchise.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, August 30, he argued that while security is crucial during elections, excessive deployment of armed forces could create fear among voters.
“The mere presence of the military, even when they are not doing anything wrong, can intimidate people. Ordinary voters, especially in rural constituencies, may feel uncomfortable and decide not to come out to vote,” Mr Tampuli cautioned.
He stressed that the police, as the lead agency for election security, should take charge with the support of other services only when necessary.
His comments come in the wake of controversy surrounding the Akwatia by-election, after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) warned that it would treat any military officer seen at the polls as a “thug”.
Mr Tampuli noted that while the concerns of political actors are valid, discussions on security must not escalate into inflammatory rhetoric that risks undermining public trust in state institutions.
The Deputy Ranking Member reiterated that the ultimate goal should be to guarantee a peaceful and credible election.
“We must strike the right balance—provide enough security to prevent chaos, but not so much that it frightens the very people we want to protect. Elections are about participation, and nothing should stand in the way of citizens casting their votes,” he said.
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Source: myjoyonline.com
