Former Vice President , Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has issued a strong warning that the attacks on officials of the New Patriotic Party and other notable names will not be forgotten should the government fail to prosecute them.
According to Dr. Bawumia, the perpetrators of the attacks have left several party officials assaulted, including former Fisheries Minister Mavis Hawa Koomson and the party’s parliamentary candidate Akua Afriyie.
“They will be brought to book no matter how long it takes. We will not forget what has happened,” Dr. Bawumia declared during a press engagement, expressing disappointment over the lack of immediate accountability for the acts of violence.
The election rerun was marred by chaotic scenes at several polling stations in Ablekuma North, where reports emerged of thugs physically attacking NPP officials and agents in the presence of state security.
Dr. Bawumia underscored the seriousness of the situation, saying the violence was captured on video and called on President John Mahama and his administration to act swiftly.
“What we have to be clear about is that the people who have perpetrated these acts have been caught on video,” he said. “I call on the President to take action and all the people in charge of this country, the administration, to take action to bring the perpetrators to book. This is the only way we can prepare for this in the future.”
The NPP flagbearer hopeful described the incidents as a blot on Ghana’s democratic gains, lamenting the failure of security agencies to maintain peace and safety at the polling centres.
“This is not the democracy that we want to see. Our supporters are being attacked by thugs, in the presence of the police, who have been unable to protect them.”
“The candidate, Akua Afriyie, has been attacked. Hawa Koomson has been attacked. Our deputy national organizer has been attacked. So many of them, before Asante, many women, have been attacked.”he remarked.
Dr. Bawumia also referenced a prior communication between the police and the Electoral Commission, where the police reportedly declined to provide security to collate just three pink sheets, only to later be deployed to cover 19 polling stations.
“Three pink sheets, just security to collate three pink sheets. But for some reason, they were able to find security to conduct elections in 19 polling stations,” he remarked, raising questions about the integrity and consistency of the state’s security commitments.
The NPP presidential candidate further warned of dangerous precedents, cautioning that if the government and security institutions fail to protect electoral stakeholders, political parties may be forced to resort to self-protection.
“We don’t want the country and political parties to start to think that they have to provide for their own safety. This would be a recipe for disaster if every political party has to raise their own army to give them protection during an election But this is the message that is being sent.”he warned
Dr. Bawumia reiterated his call for peace and the preservation of Ghana’s democratic order, urging authorities not to downplay or ignore such acts of political violence.