Mr Cletus Abang, Upper East Regional Director for the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), on Friday advised Ghanaians to critically examine the manifestos of various political parties contesting Election 2012, to enable them to make informed choices in December 7.
He stressed that the electorate needed to make informed decisions because the polls border on the country's socio-economic development.
Mr Abang made the call in a speech read on his behalf at a forum organised by the NCCE on the theme: "Civilian –Military Relationship in an election year", in Bolgatanga.
The forum brought together representatives of political parties, security agencies, civil society organizations and the media, to discus ways of ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections.
Mr Abang appealed to political party leaders to educate their followers on the political code of conduct to prevent any electoral violence.
He said that the NCCE had educated party executives, faith based organisations, communities and school children on the rights and duties of the citizenry, political tolerance, national Integration on how to and how to ensure peaceful elections in the region.
Mr Abang said the Commission had also empowered women and youth groups to take part in the electoral process.
The Regional Staff Officer of the Upper East Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police Charles Obiri, gave the assurance that the security agencies would ensure law and order before, during and after the election.
He said: "Close monitoring of the political situation in the region will be undertaken prior to January 7. Mobile and foot patrols will be intensified both day and night in the Bolgatanga Municipality as well as Bawku and other district capitals to ensure incident-free and a smooth transition in the region..
Participants appealed to security agencies to check the removal of political party posters by some people.