The Development Consultant and Civil Society Elections Management Expert at the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), Douglas Quartey, has cautioned political party agents to avoid falling victim to misinformation and disinformation at polling stations during the 2024 elections.
He emphasized that credible and peaceful elections hinge on the vigilance and professionalism of polling station agents, urging them to maintain transparency in their roles.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, November 30, Mr. Quartey highlighted the dangers of misinformation at polling and collation centers, which he said could threaten peaceful outcomes.
“Political party agents must ensure that at the polling stations, during observation, counting, and other processes, they do not fall for misinformation or disinformation, as these pose significant threats to credible and peaceful elections,” he stated.
Mr. Quartey urged political parties to educate their agents about respecting democratic processes, emphasizing that every election has both winners and losers.
“I think the message to political parties is that their commitment to peace also signifies their commitment to the rules of democracy, which dictate that in any election, there will be winners and losers. Like in football, the decisions must be respected,” he said.
He also stressed the collective responsibility of citizens, political parties, and institutions like the Electoral Commission (EC) in ensuring a credible election. He called for clear communication and non-adversarial engagement between stakeholders, particularly when addressing concerns or clarifying issues.
“What is needed is clear rules and rapid information dissemination. When concerns are raised, they should be handled constructively. Often, the adversarial tone from some institutions can erode trust,” he noted.
While acknowledging the Electoral Commission’s proven track record in organizing elections, Mr. Quartey encouraged the EC to prioritize timely and transparent communication to foster public confidence.
“The EC has done this before, and their preparedness is evident. However, they need to communicate more rapidly and effectively, especially when addressing issues that arise during the process,” he added.
Mr. Quartey called on all stakeholders to collaborate to ensure a peaceful election, underscoring the importance of vigilance and respect for the process.
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