The Electoral Commission (EC) has cautioned first-time voters against accepting money and other gifts from politicians or political groups to vote for them in return.

“This can attract hefty fines from the court and jail term,” warned the Ho Municipal Electoral Officer, Emilia Akortia.

Forum

She was speaking at an engagement with prospective first-time voters at the School of Hygiene, Ho on Monday on ‘The Youth Voice: Activating first-time voters for Ghana’s 2024 General Election.’

The forum was organised by the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) in collaboration with Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), with support from the US Embassy in Accra to educate and empower first-time voters between the ages of 18 and 21 in selected educational institutions to participate meaningfully in the upcoming general election.

Miss Akortia further warned that a voter who accepted inducements from political candidates could also be banned from voting for five years under the electoral laws of the country.

“So, resist, reject and report all acts of electoral corruption to the security agencies as soon as possible,” she added.

A Civic Educator of the Volta Regional Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Edmond Babatunde, reminded the prospective voters that elections involved the counting of ballots meticulously, for which reason that process must not be rushed.

“The counting may not be as fast as some people may wish, but it is more important to uphold the tenets of transparency and fairness in the process, in the broader national interest,” he explained.

Deity

The Programmes Officer of GACC, Samuel Harrison-Cudjoe, said the growing trend in which some political candidates and groups offered money to voters and then compelled them to swear by a deity to vote for them was criminal and evil, and must not be encouraged under any circumstance.

“The choice of a candidate must be the voters’ independent decision.”

 “You have the right to select a leader, and you have the responsibility to choose your leader,” Mr Harrison-Cudjoe told the students.

Mr Harrison-Cudjoe pointed out that active citizen participation was essential, particularly among first-time voters.

However, he said, they often lacked access to specific education and empowerment programmes for voting, making them vulnerable.

Therefore, the engagement with the prospective voters was aimed at promoting free, fair, accountable, transparent and inclusive electoral processes during the upcoming elections, Mr Harrison-Cudjoe added.

“It focuses on empowering first-time voters and fostering an electoral integrity culture for peace and stability, and to strengthen Ghana democracy,” he further explained.