NPP calls on government to prosecute perpetrators of electoral violence

Accra, Oct. 15, GNA - The National Executive Committee (NEC) of New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Thursday called on government to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of electoral violence to serve as a deterrent. It said the emerging trends of political vandalism and lawlessness in the country's elections should not be allowed in recognisance of similar experiences in other African countries.

Nana Ohene Ntow, General Secretary of NPP, made the call at a press conference in Accra.

He pointed out that this dangerous trend of political violence and lawlessness should stop, especially in particular cases where the culprits were known or had been identified.

Nana Ohene Ntow cited violent political clashes at Akwatia and Agbogbloshie in which three NPP supporters were killed, and other violent occurrences during Election 2008.

He said as a democratic country, the rule of law should be respected as supreme and appealed to government to ensure that security personnel accused of attacking political opponents were dealt with to deter others, adding "Ghanaians should be assured that state security machinery would not be used to terrorize political opponents".

Nana Ohene Ntow said the NPP at a recent meeting of political parties at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), condemned the emergence of political violence by refusing to sign the Chereponi peace accord. He accused some electoral observer groups of failing to submit accurate report on occurrences during some of the elections and called on all peace loving citizens including the security agencies to rise up to their responsibilities against activities that threatened to plunge the nation into chaos.

Mr Peter Mac Manu, National Chairman of NPP, said the Party had shown consistent commitment towards ensuring peaceful elections, and urged the National Democratic Congress to show goodwill in ensuring the elimination of electoral violence in the country.