Counting, not cutting heads
Since we entered the Fourth Republic, our general elections have been peaceful during the period that ballots are cast.
Most of the violence that has been recorded occurs when elections have closed and collations are being done.
That is when the hoodlums strike, in situations where results might have been legitimately declared at each of the polling stations.
The dastardly election-related deaths in Techiman occurred at the constituency collation centre, where any challenge of the validity of the results declared at the polling stations may be negligible or irrelevant.
However, when it comes to by-elections, there are diffuse examples of deliberate efforts to undermine the orderly and peaceful conduct of voting or counting votes in the election of leaders rather than cutting heads.
We have had Chereponi, Atiwa and the traumatic Ayawaso West Wuogon, where disinformation and malinformation about a fatality brought oil to fire and turned it into a conflagration, to borrow from Gen. Arnold Quainoo, but what happened at Ablekuma North in July this year is "adutwamu", to wit, beyond comprehension, because voting involved only 19 polling stations.
Introspection
It means we have to do an introspection to establish the fundamental basis as to why national elections do not attract as much violence as by-elections.
Whilst the presence of security personnel is limited in national elections, diffused thinly, they are saturated and massed up at by-elections.
However, because of the overwhelming numbers of interest groups who troop into polling stations for all manner of reasons, including intimidation and violence, the security personnel become more decorative than functional.
When the security personnel, particularly from the Ghana Police Service, are enabled, resourced and empowered to act professionally, we are guaranteed peaceful, transparent and orderly Parliamentary by-elections.
We saw it in Kumawu, Assin North and Ejisu, where the police demonstrated a deep sense of professionalism, transparency and a determination to take charge of the security demands.
We all witnessed how the Police Management Council or committee virtually relocated to those constituencies until after the elections.
That is what we did not find at Ayawaso and Ablekuma.
The concomitant is what we saw: the abuse in the deployment of so-called National Security operatives and party hoodlums as hatchet men to undermine the objective of free choices.
But as we go to Akwatia, and later Tamale, the government must show unequivocally unflinching commitment to empower the police to be professional, fair, firm and decisive in promoting security, such that the choice of the people will triumph to give meaning to the franchise.
Akwatia is prone to electoral violence, including the snatching of ballot boxes, and we would all be better off if we prepared adequately against any untoward emergency.
Abuse
The other problem is not far-fetched. It arises not only out of excessive partisanship and the abuse of incumbency to gain votes, but more seriously, the abuse of the accreditation process of party agents.
A large arsenal of foot soldiers is available for deployment against national elections, which cover the whole country.
We, thus, need to look into the accreditation system, which allows for the liberal movement of hordes of party activists and political leaders to "invade" the areas of by-election without limitation.
There is a need for regulations to bar politicians and party supporters, other than candidates, accredited agents and employees of the Electoral Commission, with specific duties, from entering any polling station on election day.
Public trust
We would further require the Police Administration to live up to expectations by winning public trust and confidence.
If there is a clear evidence and demonstration to deal firmly, but fairly against any impunity or violence from hoodlums, irrespective of the base of political party affiliation by the Police, there would be no attempt to destroy the orderly and peaceful conduct of the polls and the scarecrow of "we shall defend ourselves", an euphemism to challenge the state to offer comprehensive and professional security, to make an inate fear of abandonment a thing of the past, just as the refrain by undeserved communities:
"If our needs are not met, we would not take part in any general election", which is nothing more than an exasperation and expression of anguish. Such comments and statements are anathema to good governance and functional democracy.
My prayer is that we would all go to Akwatia with no ill motive, but goodwill, to improve upon our democratic credentials and have a healing process over Ablekuma North and the yet-to-be-forgotten, even if forgiven, sins of Ayawaso West Wuogon.
And since "emogya mpa huruye trimu da nti", if ever any deviants or miscreants pop up to destroy the orderliness of the elections and the peace of the country, the police must act decisively.
At the end of the day, if the police are decisive, we shall then observe and establish the political party affiliation of the hoodlums, as to whether they would be prosecuted or treated with kid gloves.
As a first, let all the parties select agents on the basis of brain rather than brawn, because elections are about choices, not wars or battles.
More importantly, political appointees and party leaders must not swarm Akwatia, since no matter how many supporters or party leaders are transported to Akwatia, they cannot exercise the franchise.
We must help the voters in Akwatia to elect the Member of Parliament they desire and want.
They must be left to take charge.
May the Police Management Council under the leadership of IGP Yohuno, as part of the Police Administration during the by-elections in Ayawaso West Wuogon, Kumawu, Assin North, Ejisu and Abkekuma North, prove to Ghanaians that they know how to provide security to enable and empower Akwatia Constituency voters to freely and independently exercise their inalienable franchise.
