The international community must condemn the partial election violence sponsored by the NPP – Sly Mensah

Saturday, February 2, 2019 Policy

Source: citinewsroom.com

2019-02-02

Presidential hopeful of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sylvester Mensah calls on international bodies to condemn what he described as "a cowardly and barbaric violence sponsored by the government" in the January 31st by-election in the district of Ayawaso West Wuogon.

The NDC has withdrawn from the race by invoking violence, but the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) at a press conference said the violence was orchestrated by the opposition, the NDC, instead of discrediting the elections.

Despite these guilty games and attacks, the Electoral Commission (EC) insists that the polls were peaceful, smooth and orderly.

But Slyvester Mensah believes that the electoral commission could have reorganized the polls in the "violent" areas allocated for voter safety, adding that the EC's disregard for violence was a clear sign that elections were being held in favor of the party in question. power. . "The election commission could have postponed the elections in the areas affected by the violence to allow people to vote later without the threat of violence, but their tacit approval of premeditated and orchestrated disordered developments for the benefit of the NPP undermines public confidence. . The security of the elections was a total failure, "Sly Mensa said in a statement.

"We call on the international community to condemn this senseless, cowardly and barbaric violence sponsored by the government," he added.

Joshua Alabi, John Mahama and Goosie Tanoh, the other presidential candidates, all condemned Thursday's violence that characterized the by-election in the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency.

They blamed the NPP for attacks describing violence as an affront to the country's democratic rights.

They blamed the NPP for attacks describing violence as an affront to the country's democratic rights.

Joshua Alabi accused the government and security agencies of deliberately using violence as a means of intimidation to gain political power.

"The use of violence in elections and in any democratic exercise can not and will not be tolerated until after the general election of 2020. The government and all the state institutions responsible for maintaining Public order must remain faithful to our sacred Constitution and rid our politics of all forms of violence, he said.

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Goosie Tanoh also expressed his dismay at the government's inability to cope with the country's security apparatus, although it has consistently given badurances. He wants the government to prove its commitment by prosecuting the perpetrators of the violence.

"These NPP militias have been implicated in many violent and illegal acts since the Akufo-Addo administration took office, including attacks on the judiciary and the security services. So far, they have acted with impunity despite the promises of HE the President to bring them back. They pose a threat to our politics, our constitution and our civilization. It is ironic that the same NPP that now presides over violent attacks on the electoral process in Ayawaso is claiming credit for recent progress in resolving the conflict. [Dagbon] crisis."

Nobody can beat us by unleashing violence – Mahama warns NPP

John Mahama also reacted to the violence eruption in the by-election of Ayawaso West Wuogon by recalling the NDC's capacity for violence.

The former president said that his party was ready to advise after one person was shot and that others were injured in any confusion at the polling center. from the school La Bawaleshie Presby.

Addressing supporters of the party in Adaklu, Mahama said: "The NPP takes this power as a matter of life and death."

Out of respect for the constitution, he said that the NDC acted docilely but was ready to revolt if the alleged intimidation by the government continued.

"We respect the constitution of this country and the NDC is a democratic country, and that is why we respect the rules of the constitution. But the same constitution says that Ghanaians must resist anyone who tries to overthrow the constitution. When you rage with the forces and intimidate people when they vote, you overthrow Ghana's constitution and we have the right to resist you. "

Mahama acknowledged the political roots of the CND, which contributed to Ghana's history by two coup d'etat, stating that "when it comes to unleashing violence, no one can beat us by unleashing violence."

He also said that they were ready to face the NPP in 2020 if the government did not take steps to protect it.