The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has issued a statement detailing two separate incidents involving alleged supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that disrupted electoral processes and instilled fear among EC staff. The first incident involved the destruction of property at the EC’s Old Head Office, while the second, more serious incident, involved an invasion of the New Corporate Head Office, forcing staff to flee for their safety. Both incidents raise concerns about the security of electoral processes and the potential for political tensions to escalate into violence.
The first incident occurred on Friday, January 17th, when alleged NDC supporters reportedly stormed the Old Head Office of the Electoral Commission. The attack resulted in significant damage to the Commission’s property, including the destruction of furniture and louvre blades. While the EC statement doesn’t provide details on the motivation behind this attack, the timing suggests a possible link to dissatisfaction with ongoing electoral processes. This act of vandalism not only resulted in physical damage but also represented a symbolic attack on the integrity and authority of the Electoral Commission.
The second incident, which took place during the collation of results for the Ablekuma North parliamentary election, saw a group of individuals, alleged to be NDC supporters, invading the premises of the EC’s New Corporate Head Office. According to the EC’s statement, this group arrived on motorbikes and created an atmosphere of intimidation and fear. The presence of two unidentified men in military uniform among the group further escalated the tension and compromised the safety of the EC staff. This incident directly interfered with the electoral process, highlighting the vulnerability of democratic institutions to disruption by partisan actors.
The EC explicitly identifies the Greater Accra Regional Organizer of the NDC as the leader of the group that invaded the New Corporate Head Office. This direct accusation elevates the incident beyond the actions of rogue supporters and implicates a senior party official in the disruption of electoral processes. The presence of the two unidentified men in military uniform also raises serious concerns about the potential involvement or misuse of state security apparatus in partisan activities. This allegation, if proven, would represent a grave breach of protocol and could further undermine public trust in the neutrality of state institutions.
The EC has strongly condemned these acts of violence and intimidation, calling on the Ghana Police Service to swiftly investigate the incidents, identify the perpetrators, and bring them to justice. The Commission emphasizes the availability of video footage capturing the faces of those involved in the invasion of the New Corporate Head Office, providing crucial evidence for the police investigation. This call for accountability underscores the EC’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that those who attempt to disrupt electoral processes face the consequences of their actions. The EC’s firm stance sends a message that violence and intimidation will not be tolerated in the democratic process.
Despite the disruptions, the Electoral Commission has reassured the public of its commitment to completing the electoral process in Ablekuma North and ensuring that the constituency has its duly elected Member of Parliament. This commitment highlights the resilience of Ghana’s democratic institutions in the face of challenges. The EC’s determination to continue its work despite the security threats underscores the importance of protecting the integrity of the electoral process and upholding the right of citizens to choose their representatives. The incidents, however, serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges to ensuring free, fair, and peaceful elections and the need for continuous vigilance in safeguarding democratic institutions.
