Mr Charles Oduro Acheampong, Assemblyman for Kaasi in the Kumasi metropolis, has cautioned Ghanaians to disabuse their minds of the perception that the December election was a 'do and die' affair.
He said democracy and violence had nothing in common and that it was the duty of well-meaning Ghanaians not to entertain fears in respect of the elections but rather gather courage to exercise their franchise on the polling day.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi on Tuesday, Mr Acheampong advised politicians in particular, to desist from utterances and provocative statements that had the tendency to put fear into Ghanaians, such that they cannot go out to cast their votes for fear of being harassed or intimidated.
He said the necessary security arrangements have been put in place at all polling centres to ensure the safety of voters and therefore failing to exercise their voting rights would be a great disservice to themselves and the nation.
The assemblyman pointed out that much as the nation had gained international recognition for its successful democratic dispensation, the onus lies on all stakeholders to fight hard to protect this enviable record.
Mr Acheampong charged the electorate especially the youth to leave the polling centres after casting their votes, but could however, be at the centres at the close of the exercise to witness the counting and its subsequent results.