Let’s eradicate political vigilantism — IDEG, CFI

The Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) and the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI) have called for bold steps to be taken to ensure that violent political tactics and political vigilantism are eradicated from the country’s body politic to maintain peace and national cohesion. 

“The recurring nature of electoral violence and impunity demands constitutional and institutional reforms and a collaborative approach by the media and the police in ensuring accountability to prevent further erosion of public confidence in our electoral systems and law enforcement bodies,” it said.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the chairperson of CFI, Dr Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, and the Head of Advocacy and International Relations, Kwesi Jonah.

“We call on civil society organisations to engage the two major political parties on the urgent need to break the vicious cycle of electoral violence,” it said.  

Deterrence

The statement also urged the National Elections Security Task Force to adopt a more proactive and preventative approach ahead of the upcoming by-election in Akwatia.

It called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Ministry of Justice and Attorney Generals Department to ensure that perpetrators of the assault were arrested and duly prosecuted to ensure the rule of law in elections.

“These actions will deter the behaviour and the culture of impunity surrounding elections,” it stated.

It empathised with all victims of political violence, adding that it remained committed to advancing a democratic culture in Ghana that was peaceful, inclusive and accountable. 

Concerns

The statement expressed concern about the acts of violence that occurred during the rerun of the parliamentary elections in 19 polling stations at the Ablekuma North Constituency.

“We are alarmed by the reports and disturbing video evidence of physical assaults inflicted on fellow citizens, including journalists, voters and a former Member of Parliament,” it said.

Those incidents, it said, reflected a dangerous pattern of electoral violence and impunity that continued to threaten the integrity of Ghana's democratic process.

It pointed out that elections must be peaceful expressions of the people's will, not battlegrounds for political intimidation and fear. 

Background

It recalled the infamous act of electoral violence that occurred during the 2019 Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election, the 2020 and 2024 general election at Tolon and Ahafo Ano South West constituencies.

It observed that political inertia in dealing decisively with perpetrators of electoral violence had contributed to the growing culture of reprisal attacks and election impunity.