Branches of the Methodist Church of Ghana in the Sunyani Municipality, have decided not to hold Church service on Sunday, December 7, to enable members to fully exercise their franchise on that day.
They would, however, hold short Church service on Saturday, December 6, and pray for peaceful polls.
The Reverend Samuel Budu Arthur of Ebenezer Methodist Church at Penkwase in the municipality, told GNA at Sunyani that the leadership of the religious organisation took the decision to ensure smooth voting since the Electoral Commission (EC) had located polling stations at the premises of some branches of the Church.
He said "It is our social responsibility as a Church to assist the EC to ensure the success of the exercise".
The Rev. Arthur said the "no-service" on Sunday would also enable members of the Church to report at the polling stations on time to cast their votes."
In a related development, the Very Rev. Alexander Addae in charge of the Sunyani Circuit of the Church, announced the decision to the congregation while delivering the sermon at a harvest, organised by the Wesley Cathedral of the Methodist Church in Sunyani on Sunday.
He said the decision would enable members of the Church to have ample time to participate in the national exercise.
The Very Rev. Addae reminded Church members that they were stakeholders in national development and they must contribute to the success of Election 2008.
He said "I plead with you to sacrifice a little for mother Ghana. It is our responsibility as Christians to ensure that the elections will be fair, free and peaceful".
The Very Rev. Addae urged Christians to be patriotic and cautioned that any one caught fomenting trouble on December 7 would not be spared.