Party Activists Urge EC and Security Agencies to Mitigate Long Queues at Polling Stations.

Bolgatanga: Political party youth activists in the Bolgatanga East Constituency have appealed to the security agencies and the Electoral Commission (EC) to ensure that the voting process concludes smoothly at polling stations experiencing long queues. They expressed concerns that some polling stations, which are sub-divided into 'A' and 'B', have historically faced issues with long queues due to the high number of registered voters arriving to cast their votes on election days.According to Ghana News Agency, the activists highlighted that these long queues often persist even when voting is supposed to end, causing tension and anxiety among the youth, especially as the end of voting time approaches and people gather for the counting of ballots. They urged the security and the Electoral Commission to implement measures to prevent such situations.The call was made during engagements conducted by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) focused on preventing violent extremism and terrorism as the De cember 7, 2024, general elections approach. The engagement, themed 'Preventing, Containing Violent Extremism', was funded by the European Union.Ms. Sadia Baba Sampana, District Director of the Commission, addressed participants on the ongoing challenges of violent extremism and terrorism, which pose a threat to democratic governance, peace, prosperity, and safety in the nation. She emphasized the importance of addressing these rising threats to ensure the stability and security of Ghana as the country prepares for the 2024 elections.Ms. Sampana further explained that the engagement aimed to undertake peace-building meetings and collaborate with stakeholders to prevent violent extremism, promote peaceful coexistence, and foster national cohesion before, during, and after the election in the Bolgatanga East District.DSP Charles Simpa, Bolgatanga East District Police Commander, assured participants of the district's security preparedness to protect life and property. He advised voters against forming group s around polling stations during voting and encouraged them to leave the premises after casting their votes, emphasizing that any violations would be dealt with promptly.Alhaji Chief Issah Ibrahim, Director of Integrated Youth Needs and Welfare (NTYON) and chairperson of the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee, conducted exercises aimed at guiding participants against violence. He urged representatives of various political parties to carefully analyze situations before taking actions that could have negative implications for the district and themselves.The party activists participated in exercises promoting coexistence and social cohesion. At the program's conclusion, they signed a communique pledging vigilance and peace before and after the December 7 elections.