Don’t bring soldiers to polling stations – Martin Kpebu

Martin Kpebu, a private legal practitioner, has cautioned against the involvement of military personnel at polling stations during the upcoming December elections.

Mr. Kpebu emphasised that the presence of soldiers at polling stations is unnecessary and has the potential to intimidate voters.

According to him, the military’s role is to defend the country against external aggression, as stated in Article 210 of the Constitution.

“I have met other senior military officers who haven’t changed their minds; they are still interested in this instant justice. I remember when the Ashaiman poisoning of citizens happened; just around that time, I met a very senior officer; I will not mention his name.”

He said, “For them, they went there to discipline the citizens; Ghanaians are undisciplined… that kind of thing,” he stated.

Mr. Kpebu argued that the police are capable of handling security at polling stations and that the military’s involvement could lead to a repeat of past incidents of brutality.

Kpebu’s comments come after Lt. Col. Jacob Cudjoe, Commanding Officer of the Achiase Jungle Warfare School, suggested that the military would intervene if law enforcement agencies failed to maintain order during the election period.

Kpebu condemned Lt. Col. Cudjoe’s comments, describing them as “despicable” and reminiscent of Ghana’s authoritarian past.

“The military had their days when they ruled, they even sometimes did worse, so they should just stay quietly in the barracks. This election, we don’t want them coming back to do what they did in Techiman South, shooting citizens to death. We don’t want that to happen again. Nobody has asked Lt. Col. Cudjoe to come and beat citizens; he has no right to beat citizens,” he lamented.

Kpebu’s concerns about the military’s involvement in elections are shared by many.

The presence of soldiers at polling stations can create an intimidating atmosphere, which may deter some voters from casting their ballots.

Furthermore, the military’s involvement in elections can blur the lines between military and civilian roles, potentially undermining the democratic process.