The Ablekuma North election rerun was marred by pockets of violence
Following recent events at Ablekuma North, some residents have been expressing their concerns and calling for an end to the violence that overshadowed the rerun of the elections in the constituency.
Some of them said the incident is not new to them since it has been recurring, particularly for the main political parties in the country.
One of them said, “It’s something that has been a recurring issue for some time. I believe it has become a standard practice for all parties involved. Instead of focusing on development to inform their votes, our political leaders have resorted to violence to ensure their candidates are elected. If we don’t put an end to this, it will become the norm for everyone.”
Another resident who spoke with GhanaWeb said he is convinced that political parties regard violence during polls as the way to go in order to win elections and get their preferred candidates into political office.
“Every party that seeks power will think that using violent means is the way to get their people into positions of authority. I would advise that the government should refrain from empowering police and using the military when it comes to elections, as some of these individuals may not be able to protect politicians when they face aggression or attack, particularly when the government is currently in power. Violence is not a path to national development,” said Abba, one of the residents.
Since the violent scenes in the Ablekuma North Constituency, tensions have remained high, highlighting the urgent need for peace and stability.
Another resident, Addo, added, “It wasn’t fair because I’m sure there were many people who would have liked to go out and vote, but due to the events that transpired, they stayed indoors. This will not yield a fair result.”
Residents have voiced their dismay and fear, emphasising the need for a peaceful environment for the electoral process.
A woman remarked, “If you look closely, Akua Afriyie won, and now they say it’s down to three candidates, and later, it was reported as nineteen. Not everyone participated in the voting; some were frustrated and chose not to vote, which contributed to the situation we experienced. Like it or not, whoever is elected is still our leader.”
Community leaders and organisations are stepping up their efforts to mediate and promote peace, with hopes of restoring calm and fostering a sense of unity.
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