Former president J.J. Rawlings has condemned the presence of military personnel in the Volta and Oti regions ahead of the voter registration exercise.
The exercise is expected to start Tuesday, June 30, 2020, however, residents in the two regions have expressed concerns about the ubiquitous nature of military operations in most of the border towns.
Former President John Mahama has also solidarised with regions he termed are under “military siege” ahead of the voter’s registration exercise.
In a statement, the NDC flagbearer said the development is akin to declaring war on residents of those areas. He said it is part of a grand scheme to disenfranchise some Ghanaians in the upcoming polls.
Speaking on the development, Rawlings said: “The deployment along the borders at peacetime especially at this particular point in time has created so much suspicion and will call for a lot of intelligent flexibility and diligence.”
He added: “The Covid-19 restrictions have created enough difficulties for most of our citizens. Let us not make it worse with overbearing and intimidating behaviour towards our border dwellers whose livelihood solely depend on activities along the border.”
Below is the full statement.
STATEMENT BY FORMER PRESIDENT RAWLINGS ON
DEPLOYMENT OF SECURITY AGENCIES IN VOLTA, OTI REGIONS
The presence of the military and other security agencies in some parts of the Volta and Oti Regions is generating animosity especially amongst innocent citizens whose basic way of life is being disrupted.
The deployment along the borders at peacetime especially at this particular point in time has created so much suspicion and will call for a lot of intelligent flexibility and diligence.
The Covid-19 restrictions have created enough difficulties for most of our citizens. Let us not make it worse with overbearing and intimidating behaviour towards our border dwellers whose livelihood solely depend on activities along the border.
Ahead of the voter registration exercise and the December elections, it is important that we demonstrate a sense of fairness and justice to all individuals and groups of people whilst maintaining the integrity and the sanctity of the process.
Source: Daily Mail GH
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