Electoral violence: Ghana records 76 electoral incident

Seventy-six incidents of electoral violence have been recorded between November and December 2024. These include cases of property destruction, injuries, and even fatalities.

 

This was contained in a report put together by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), in partnership with the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) and the Coalition for Domestic Election Observers (CODEO).

 

Violence

 

The report highlighted six fatalities, including the tragic shooting of Haruna Shaibu, a 31-year-old steel bender at the Nyankpala lorry station in the Tolon Constituency, and a stray bullet that claimed the life of 35-year-old Mukila Ziblim in Damongo.

 

Additionally, 46 individuals have sustained injuries, three of whom remain in critical condition. Property damage has been extensive, with cases such as the destruction of ballot papers, the burning of Electoral Commission offices in Damongo and Ayensuano constituencies, and widespread vandalism.

 

Unresolved cases

 

The report underscores a troubling trend of unresolved cases of electoral violence. Despite efforts like the 2021 project aimed at tracking incidents from the 2020 elections, many perpetrators remain unpunished. This lack of accountability the report noted has eroded public trust in Ghana’s justice system and created an environment of impunity.

 

To address these issues, CDD-Ghana and its partners launched the Post-Elections Security Accountability Project, which sought to support victims and ensure justice delivery. Although the project’s pilot phase ended in 2022, the increase in violence during the 2024 elections highlights the need for sustained efforts.

 

Pursuing justice

 

CDD-Ghana implemented a comprehensive monitoring system during the 2024 elections, utilising the “Appolo system” to document and follow up on incidents. Volunteers from CODEO and trained officers from CDD-Ghana collected and verified information, ensuring accuracy.

 

The next steps involve case validation, where CDD-Ghana will engage victims, families, security personnel, and communities for detailed accounts. The organisation has also established a robust tracking mechanism to monitor cases through the justice system, from police investigations to court hearings. Volunteers continue to visit police stations and attend court sessions to keep the public informed.

 

Enforcement

 

The National Election Security Task Force (NESTF) has arrested 132 suspects in connection with the violence. Among them, 45 are remanded in custody, 71 are on police enquiry bail, and 16 have been granted court bail. While these arrests signify progress, the challenge remains, ensuring that victims receive meaningful justice and that such incidents do not recur.

 

Call for action

 

The report concludes with a call to strengthen Ghana’s democratic processes by addressing the root causes of electoral violence, ensuring accountability, and restoring public confidence in the justice system. As Ghana reflects on these challenges, urgent action is needed to prevent the erosion of its hard-earned democratic stability.

Source: agtvgh.com