Ghana Youth Network, a civil society group, has asked political parties not to use the difficult economic situation to lure the youth to incite or perpetrate any violence related to the December 7, 2008 polls.
Mr Jeff Occansey, National Coordinator of the Network, gave the advice at a forum organised to educate the youth on the need to ensure violence free elections in Sunyani on Wednesday.
The forum, which was attended by more than 300 youth drawn from the Sunyani Municipality, was jointly organised by the Network and African Assistance Plan, a Non Governmental Organisation.
Mr Occansey underscored the need for the Electoral Commission to make every effort to ensure that the elections were credible, transparent, free and fair.
"We believe in a just society and intend to live by the laws and regulations that govern Ghana's electoral process," he stressed and called on the police and other security agencies to be impartial in the discharge of their duties.
Mr Occansey said the Network would play its part in ensuring that the 2008 general elections were peaceful. He urged the youth to desist from "any illegal acts that will mar the beauty of the elections".
Nana Aboaa Boahemaa, Gyantuahemaa of Sunyani Traditional Area noted that women and children usually fell prey to elections characterised by violence and appealed to the public to desist from acts that could create tensions.
Mr Mike Owusu-Amoako, Deputy Director at the Brong-Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council, also advised the youth not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to foment trouble.
He said the Regional Coordinating Council had provided provide enough security to make the elections violence-free.