Election Watch Ghana has called on the Ghana Police Service to convene an emergency meeting with all flagbearer aspirants and the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to establish clear guidelines and enforce a strict code of conduct ahead of the party’s January 31 flagbearership primaries.
The move, the watchdog says, is crucial to de-escalate tensions and ensure a peaceful electoral process.
In a statement released on Monday, Election Watch Ghana expressed deep concern over rising incidents of violence within the party. The group cited recent reports from Sunyani, where aspirant Naa Torshie was forced to address supporters from a car after being chased from a campaign venue, while a social media activist was allegedly beaten by rival supporters.
The watchdog described such acts as “alarming and unacceptable,” warning they undermine the credibility of the elections.
The organisation urged the Ghana Police Service and other stakeholders to act immediately to prevent further violence. Measures recommended include deploying adequate security personnel to hotspots, enforcing adherence to a code of conduct, and taking steps to ensure that all aspirants and their supporters engage peacefully.
Election Watch Ghana also called on NPP members to exercise restraint, tolerance, and calm during the campaign period.
“Democracy thrives on peaceful competition, not violence,” the statement emphasised, reminding the party leadership of its responsibility to guarantee a fair and orderly election process.
The group further stressed the importance of preventive measures at this stage and requested that the police provide regular updates on the security situation and the steps being taken to address any incidents.
