The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed serious concern over the deployment of armed military personnel across local communities ahead of the 2024 general elections.
The NDC criticized the presence of soldiers equipped with armored vehicles, machine guns, and sniper weapons under the guise of ensuring election security.
The party argued that elections are civilian exercises meant to be overseen by law enforcement agencies like the Ghana Police Service, not the military.
Quoting Article 200(3) of the 1992 Constitution, the NDC emphasized that the Police Service is constitutionally mandated to maintain law and order.
The party highlighted that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), not the Chief of Defence Staff, chairs the National Election Task Force.
During a recent briefing with political parties, the Election Security Task Force led by the IGP assured stakeholders that military deployments would only occur upon request and on a case-by-case basis.
The NDC questioned the basis of the current military presence in communities, arguing that it appears to deviate from this protocol.
The party has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, to immediately withdraw the military from local communities.
The NDC suggested that at most, the military could be stationed at district police headquarters, but not within local neighborhoods.
While reiterating its commitment to peaceful and transparent elections, the NDC urged its supporters to remain vigilant throughout the electoral process to safeguard the integrity of the vote.
