The National Peace Council is to convene a high level election stakeholders meeting on electoral violence, impunity and injustice on Wednesday, on November 23.
The Council fears recent clashes between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) could spark electoral violence in this year’s elections if steps are not taken to avert such violence.
The NDC and NPP supporters recently clashed near the residence of NPP presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, during a health walk organised by the NDC on November 13,.
Supporters of the two parties also engaged in another clash in the Odododiodoo constituency after separate rallies, and again at Asokore in the Eastern Region Sunday morning after a health walk.
The supporters later engaged in accusations and counter-accusations as to which side ignited the clashes.
These developments, the National Peace Council says, cast a slur on the country’s democracy and must be managed before they escalate.
“These acts should awaken all Ghanaians to the reality that electoral violence is possible. The current level and the spate of clashes between the NDC and NPP have the potential to fuel or to foul the political atmosphere during and even after the elections,” he said
Most Rev. Professor Emmanuel Asante called on the party supporters to exercise restraint as they embark on their campaigns.
“It is pertinent to note that Ghana is bigger than any political hooliganism and violence have never been a legitimate for ascension to political power in any part of the world,” he said.
He charged the Police administration to take more action on the incidence of violence.
“A lot of people have talked about these health walk business. People are there to promote their own parties but I think we can do it in such a way that you do not facilitate these two parties who do not seem eye to eye,” he advised.
Meanwhile, 3Fm’s Karen Dodoo reported that the Council has indicated it plans to also meet with leaders of the various political parties to impress upon them to champion peace ahead of and during the elections.
“We are bringing political parties together and initiating dialogue after elections for them to think about issues like winner takes all. There is a lot in this country that these political parties and leadership can think about to take this country move forward”, Rev. Asante said
Karen reported that the Council underscored the need for the party leaders to reaffirm their position against impunity.
“We will ask them to say to their teaming supporters that violence will not do, so let us do things peacefully. Let us ensure electoral justice in the kind of things that we do,” he added.
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