Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has condemned the deployment of military personnel at polling stations in the 2024 December polls.

At the National Peace Campaign launch, Mahama urged strict enforcement of the law against those inciting violence or disrupting elections.

He emphasised the crucial roles of the Electoral Commission, judiciary, and security forces in ensuring a fair, transparent, and safe electoral process.

Mahama expressed concerns about potential violence and called for justice and neutrality from involved institutions.

He opposed military deployment, citing fear and suspicion among voters.

Mahama urged the government to respect security institutions’ designated roles to prevent tensions.

“Our clergy like all citizens should be able to witness voting and counting peacefully without fear of violence. If someone errs or is disruptive during the election, they should be made to face justice. The government has a responsibility to hold accountable any criminal who masquerades during the elections as state security operatives.

“No weapons must be allowed in or around any polling stations, including at all collation centres. Election security is the primary responsibility of the Ghana Police Service under the Inspector General of Police. There must therefore be no deployment of the military or armed national security operatives at any polling station or collation center. The Electoral Commission must be impartial, and the judiciary must be fair and neutral in the events.”