The National Peace Council (NPC) has called for swift investigations by the police into the chaos which erupted during the Ablekuma North rerun.
The Council urged the police to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
In a statement released on July 11, the Peace Council noted with concern the incidents of violence and reported assaults on some individuals during the rerun of elections in Ablekuma North.
The Council said such incidents violate the rights of individuals and threaten the peace and stability of the nation.
The Council further strongly condemned these violent acts, including the assault of journalists and some members of the NPP including former Awutu Senya East MP, Mavis Hawa Koomson.
The statement urged all voters, security personnel, and observers to remain calm, exercise restraint, and allow the Electoral Commission and security agencies to carry out their duties peacefully.
The Council welcomes the interdiction of the police officer involved in the assault of a journalist and further calls on Party leaders and the youth of both the NDC and NPP to take a collective stance against political violence.
“The NPC is closely monitoring the situation and calls on all stakeholders to prioritize peace and uphold democratic values throughout the electoral process,” the statement stated.
Former MP for Awutu Senya East Constituency, Hawa Koomson was beaten up by some unknown thugs who forcefully invaded the Odorkor Methodist 1 polling station during voting at the Ablekuma North constituency.
Some unknown thugs pulled up in a pick up vehicle at the polling station and forcefully entered the premises of the polling station which was then being protected by police officers.
TV3’s Stanley Nii Blewu who was present at the scene reported that the former lawmaker was kicked in the groin and fell to the ground. After which, the thugs continued to kick her on the ground until the police officers quickly intervened and whisked her away.
Also, the Deputy National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Chris Lloyd Nii Kwei Asamoah was beaten by a group of unidentified thugs at the Odorkor Methodist 1 Polling Station during the ongoing parliamentary election rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency.
Background of the Rerun
The impasse began during the collation of results last December when, according to the Electoral Commission (EC), political party supporters besieged the collation centre and destroyed an unspecified number of original result forms (Pink Sheets).
This led to the use of 37 scanned Pink Sheets, provided by the NPP, to continue the collation process.
The NDC objected, insisting on a full rerun in all 37 polling stations where scanned copies were used.
The NPP, however, argued that since NDC agents had verified the scanned copies, the results should stand.
Onuaonline and 3 news
