The Electoral Commission (EC) has appealed to youth leaders of political parties to refrain from the use of the Social Media to propagate fake news, hate speech, misinformation and disinformation during the electioneering campaign.
This, Mr. Samuel Tettey, the Deputy Commissioner of the EC in-charge of Operations, said, has the potential in plunging the country into chaos.
He further pledged the Commission’s commitment to ensuring free, fair and transparent election on December 7, 2024.
Mr. Tettey made the appeal in a speech read on his behalf by Mr. Fred Tetteh, Deputy Director, Research, EC, at the National Youth Party Leaders Conference on Peaceful Elections, in Accra.
The conference, which was held under the Political Accountability Activity, was organised by the International Republican Institute (IRI), a non-government organisation committed to advancing democracy globally, in collaboration with the National Peace Council (NPC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
It was attended by youth leaders of the various political parties from across the country, including the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mr. Tettey expressed the EC’s utmost interest in promoting a peaceful environment for electoral activities.
“A peaceful environment is vital for the development of democracy. As we navigate through these transformational times, as a young democracy, it becomes increasingly crucial to advocate for violence free electoral/political activities,” he said.
He said in line with this, the Commission was committed to its principles of transparency, integrity and fairness as its contribution to the prevention/mitigation of electoral violence.
He reiterated that the Commission was naturally inclined to support any initiative that would create the enabling ambience for electoral and political progress.
He commended the NPC and the IRI for organising the timely conference.
He said the growing youth population in the country had made it very important to instill the values of peace, promote inter-party dialogue, responsible communication and consensus building among political party youth leaders on electoral politics and governance, equity and freedom, especially pertaining to democratic practice.
He noted that young people were innovative and had the power to be positive change agents in the country, hence, the need to leverage their power, strength and voice for the promotion of peace and stability before, during and after December 7th General Elections.
“As youth Leaders you must remember that you have a great future ahead of you and posterity will never forgive you if you allow yourselves to be agents in plunging this country into chaos.”
Mrs. Joana Adzoa Opare, Member, NPC Governing Board and Chairperson of Complaints and Conflict Committee, in her remarks, underscored the need for the youth to promote peaceful election, stating, “we don’t want to lose our position as the beacon of peace in West Africa.”
Mr. Sunday Alao, Resident Coordinator, IRI, said the National Youth Party Leaders Conference on Peaceful Elections was one of their activities that was tailored on promoting processes that would enhance peaceful participation of marginalized groups and the public in the 2024 Election in Ghana.
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