Democracy Is Not For Sale: Dambai residents demand greater accountability, sensitisation to tackle vote-buying
Participants at a public forum in Dambai in the Oti Region have called for increased public education on vote-buying and urged politicians to end the monetisation of votes during elections. They also want political parties and elected officials to fulfil promises made to the people of the Oti Region, stressing the need for greater accountability […]
A public forum in Dambai, located in Ghana's Oti Region, saw residents demanding for greater accountability and sensitization to combat vote-buying during elections. The gathering, part of JoyNews' Democracy Is Not For Sale program, highlighted the importance of educating voters about the detrimental effects of exchanging their votes for money and material benefits.
Participants stressed the need for politicians and political parties to fulfill their promises made during campaign periods, with a focus on addressing the development needs of the Oti Region. They argued that vote-buying undermines the integrity of elections and shifts attention away from crucial issues such as good governance, development, and the ability of candidates to serve their communities.
Some attendees urged political entities to stop using financial incentives and material benefits to influence voters, advocating for electoral support based on candidates' policies, competence, and commitment to national and local development. The audience also called for political leaders to adhere to their pre-election promises, particularly those related to the progress and development of communities within their jurisdiction.
Furthermore, the forum addressed the concerns of persons with disabilities, urging for their inclusion in the distribution of national resources and development opportunities. They emphasized the necessity for these concerns to be recognized and addressed in government policies and development programs, ensuring that they benefit from the country's resources and are not left behind.
The discussions also emphasized the responsibility of citizens in protecting the democratic process. Participants were encouraged to reject any financial inducements and demand transparency from political leaders. The forum, therefore, forms part of broader efforts to promote electoral integrity and encourage citizens to actively protect and strengthen Ghana's democracy.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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