NCCE Urges Electorates to Participate in Upcoming Elections for National Development.

TEMA: Madam Gifty Agyeiwaa Badu, the Tema Metro Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has called upon the electorates to actively participate in the December 7 general elections, emphasizing its importance for national development. She highlighted that voting is not just a right but a civic responsibility enshrined in the 1992 Constitution, which declares, 'The sovereignty of Ghana resides in the people of Ghana, in whose name and for whose welfare the powers of government are to be exercised.'According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Badu made this appeal during an election awareness visit to the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) Redemption Congregation at Tema Community nine. She reminded the citizens of their duty to delegate their powers through voting, pointing out that elections are the sole opportunity for them to either maintain the current government or elect new leadership. She stressed that failing to vote would leave the decision to others, potentially leading to the elect ion of leaders that some may not prefer.Madam Badu further elaborated on the NCCE's role, established by Chapter 19 of the Constitution and an Act of Parliament, in educating Ghanaians about the dangers of misinformation, vote buying, religious intolerance, and political violence. She urged the public to verify information before sharing it to prevent misinformation, which could have severe consequences.Additionally, she encouraged the electorates to embrace diverse views and consider political parties' ideas over monetary or material incentives, as well as the religious or ethnic background of candidates, when casting their votes. To ensure a smooth voting process, Madam Badu educated the congregation on the correct voting procedures, advising them to carry their voter ID and check that the ballot paper is properly stamped before proceeding to vote.Using a dummy ballot paper, she demonstrated the correct way to thumbprint and fold the paper, aiming to reduce the number of rejected ballots, which have b een a significant issue in past elections.