Local polls: Vote, its your civic duty – Mahama

The flagbearer of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama has encouraged qualified Ghanaians to vote in today’s district-level elections.

Voting began at 7 am and ends at 5 pm.

Urging the citizenry to vote, Mr Mahama in a Facebook post said the district level elections has since its inception ensured grassroots participation in the governance of the country.

“Through the unit committees and representation in the Assemblies, our people have had the opportunity to be directly involved in governance at the local level,” he said.

The poll is to elect new members to the assemblies and unit committees.

Mr Mahama wished all aspirants well and reiterated his call on all eligible Ghanaians to step out between now and 5.00pm to cast their votes. “It’s our civic responsibility,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Police says it has deployed 48,000 security personnel for today's polls.

“The National Elections Security Task Force (NESTF) has deployed 48,000 security personnel drawn from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority to support the Electoral Commission in providing security at polling nations and collation centers throughout the country for the local level elections scheduled for December 17, 2019,” the Police said in a statement.

“Also, personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces are on standby at strategic locations to provide support to the other sister security services when the need arises. The (NESTF) assures the general public, especially the voting population and candidates, that the Police and sister security services will ensure the smooth conduct of the District Assembly and Unit Committee elections without let or hindrance," the statement added.

The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has also indicated its readiness to observe the district assembly elections and has called on voters to “obey the electoral laws of the country to support free, fair and credible election.”