Accra, Dec. 19, GNA - Nationals of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) cannot vote in the forthcoming Presidential Election runoff scheduled for December 28, a statement from the National Security Council on Friday said.

Ghanaians, who did not register, should also desist from any attempt to vote, the statement Dr Sam Amoo, National Security Coordinator, signed, warned, saying such acts were punishable under the country's laws.

The statement said: "All citizens from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are to note that ECOWAS protocols allow for free movement of g oods and people but not to vote in each others' countries." It said it had come to the attention of the Council that some Ghanaians were recruiting non-Ghanaians and non-registered Ghanaians from neighbouring countries to come and vote in the polls. "The National Security Council Secretariat cautions any persons, who have been recruited for this illegal enterprise from the neighbouring countries and Ghanaians involved in this enterprise to refrain from this illegal action, which is punishable by the laws of Ghana." The statement assured all law-abiding citizens that the Council was monitoring the development closely and would not shirk its responsibility in helping to provide a safe, secure and peaceful environment for the runoff of the Presidential polls.