Ghanaians urged to ensure transparent presidential runoff

Accra, Dec 28, GNA - The Civic Forum Initiative (CFI) and Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) on Saturday, called on Ghanaians to act within the electoral law to ensure free, fair and transparent presidential runoff today.

A release issued by CFI said "The entire nation and in deed the whole Africa and the world at large expect us to discharge that civic duty and responsibilities with due diligence and self-confidence on December 28, 2008."

It said what would happen on the voting day mattered most to the peace and credibility of the elections.

The release called for strict compliance with procedures laid down for voting, vote counting, tabulation and declaration of both provisional and certified results.

It recommended that the safety of ballot boxes before, during and after voting should be a matter of priority for the Electoral Commission (EC), security agencies, political parties and voters. The release asked the EC's presiding officers and political party agents to adhere strictly to the rule of fixing their seals on ballot boxes before voting.

It also advised that they should record the number of ballot boxes and their security details at each polling station before voting to prevent the addition of "alien" ballot boxes either during or after voting. The release said security of the polling stations and collation centres should be enhanced before the counting of ballots.

Ghanaians advised to exercise their franchise in peace

Accra, Dec. 28, GNA - Reverend Peter Yaw Acheampong, Head Pastor of Kotobabi Branch of Christ Apostolic Church International, on Saturday urged Ghanaians to exercise their franchise peacefully in today's presidential runoff.

Delivering a sermon at a service at the Church on the topic" Mystery of our birth", the clergyman said it was only through peace that Ghanaians could win God's favour for national developmental. Rev. Acheampong said "We need to do God's will so that we would not lack anything in life. Our inability to live in peace and obey our maker has become a hindrance to our success in life".

He said the winner of the runoff has already been approved by God and His choice and not the choice of man would triumph. "We need to vote in the interest of peace and follow the will of God as it was done for Saul in the Old Testament" He said. Rev. Acheampong urged the electorate to seek divine intervention in the election and protect the country's peace.