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The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has condemned the violence that almost marred the smooth run of the just- ended by-election in the Talensi Constituency in the Upper East Region and called on the security agencies to investigate, arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.

A press statement signed by Dr Franklin Oduro, Head of Research and Programmes at CDD noted with concern the violence at Talensi which was mixed with sporadic firing of guns and attacks with machetes during the conduct of the polls, resulting in the hospitalization of victims and destruction of vehicles.
The statement described such acts as unacceptable and a situation that raises serious concerns about the ease and impunity with which violence is unleashed during elections in Ghana.

“CDD-Ghana has taken note of and applauds the relative peacefulness that prevailed at the polling stations and the overall quality of the administration of the election itself; but notes the reported incidence of violence associated with it, although outside the polling stations. This clearly undermines the democratic objective of peacefully electing political leaders.

CDD-Ghana finds this unacceptable and urges the law enforcement agencies to apprehend the alleged perpetrators of the violent acts and ensure that they face the full rigors of the law. This is a better option than political parties trading accusations at each other as to who is responsible for these unacceptable acts of election-related violence”, the statement noted .

“CDD-Ghana, calls on the security and law enforcement agencies, as a matter of urgency, to investigate the reported violence, arrest and prosecute all the alleged perpetrators involved in the violence” the statement added.

The statement said the 2016 general elections are less than 18 months and that If the violence is left un-investigated and the alleged perpetrators escaped justice, such acts of violence would
Serve as a license for people to institutionalize violence in Ghana’s electoral and democratic processes.

It called on all parties and stakeholders to realize the essence of conducting Ghanaian elections in an environment that is free of fear, intimidation and violence.

“CDD-Ghana will be monitoring the outcomes of the Police investigations into these incidents” the statement added.