Arrest perpetrators of electoral violence now-Peace Council to Police
The National Peace Council has challenged the police to rise to the occasion and arrest perpetrators of electoral violence, which is marring the ongoing voter registration exercise.
It warned that failure to take immediate action could derail the country’s peace as it prepares for December 7 elections.
The council, in a statement, said it is disturbed about disturbances at registration centres in communities, including Ejura-Sekyere-Odumase, Constituency in the Ashanti Region; Kasoa in the Central Region; Asutifi South and Tano South constituencies in the Ahafo Region; Dormaa West Constituency in the Bono Region; Ho West in the Volta Region as well as Fadama and Accra New Town in the Greater Accra Region confirmed that clashes between the supporters of the opposition, National Democratic Congress(NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The clashes between the rival parties led to shootings, machete wounds on some identified party activists, resulting in some arrests of persons who allegedly committed these crimes.
At least one person has been reported dead in the Banda constituency in the Bono Region as supporters of the NDC and the NPP clash over the right to register in the area.
The victim, who has been described as apolitical and a peacemaker, was stabbed to death by unidentified persons.
Unidentified people stabbed the deceased, a fresh graduate from the Akim Oda Teacher Training College, in the back after he was allegedly accosted by some persons suspected to be NPP activists.
But NPP executives in the area have rebuffed the claim.
With these reports in mind, the council urged the police to always be “guided by their motto ‘Service with Integrity’ to ensure human lives and property are protected by enforcing the laws without fear or favour.”
The council reminded the NDC and the NPP of their commitment to the Road Map and a Code of Conduct on the eradication of all kinds of political vigilantism and election-related violence.
“To this end, both NDC and NPP have declared publicly that political vigilantism is inimical to Ghana’s democratic system and must be eradicated.”
It, however, commended the EC and the police for their swift action in Sagnerigu in the Northern Region, which restored peace in the area and brought integrity to the registration.
The party has committed to seeing out the ban on party militia after President Akufo-Addo assented the Vigilantism and Related Offences Bill 2019, which parliament passed in July 2019.
The National Peace Council subsequently outlined a detailed Code of Conduct and roadmap to ensure that parties are devoid of any affiliated militia.
The party has committed to seeing out the ban on party militia after President Akufo-Addo assented the Vigilantism and Related Offences Bill 2019, which parliament passed in July 2019.
The National Peace Council subsequently outlined a detailed Code of Conduct and roadmap to ensure that parties are devoid of any affiliated militia.
The NPP signed the document in February.