Nii Okaija Adamafio, Minister of the Interior has reminded the public that it is a criminal offence to deface or remove campaign posters of political parties and warned that those caught would be prosecuted. He was speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on what his Ministry is doing to ensure free political campaign and about reports of people destroying party materials of rival political parties.
Nii Okaija asked the public to co-operate with the police to arrest offenders, adding that in similar situations during the 1992 and 1996 elections a few culprits were jailed.
He said the police would not shirk their duties this year also and would continue to enforce the public order law to ensure that every party campaigned without fear or hindrance to enable the electorate to make informed choices.
The minister said it should be possible for all political parties to hold rallies at different venues on the same day and in the same constituency provided they give the police five days prior notice as required by law. This would enable the police to provide adequate security at the rally grounds.
He stressed the need for all the parties to abide by the electoral laws and observe the tit-bits the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has been giving about the right of every citizen to free speech.
