STOP THE VIOLENCE NOW!

Page 7: Daily Graphic, April 14, 2012. THE second phase of the biometric voters registration exercise has just ended and indications are that the process has improved tremendously from its initial teething problems. However, some pockets of violence that have characterised the exercise in various parts of the country, particularly in the Odododiodoo Constituency in Accra, raise cause for serious concern. Over the past few days, Odododiodoo has become a hotbed of political violence, as supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), some of them wielding deadly weapons, engage in open confrontation amid the beating of war drums. The turbulent situation in Odododiodoo has put fear in many peace-loving Ghanaians as they ponder over what is in store for the nation, come December, if a mere registration exercise could degenerate into such chaotic scenes. The DAILY GRAPHIC is equally disturbed by the latest volatile developments at Odododiodoo and other constituencies in the country and wish to appeal to all the combatants to withdraw from violence and allow calm and peace to prevail in their constituencies. They should be mindful of the fact that the very leaders they support (President J.E.A. Mills for the NDC and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the NPP) and in whose interest they may be engaging in fisticuffs have both stressed the need for peace to prevail in this year’s general election. The two leaders have both indicated that they would rather lose the elections in the interest of national peace and tranquillity than seek political power tainted with the blood of innocent people. So why can’t supporters of the NDC and the NPP be guided by the commitment of their leaders to peace and refrain from acts of violence? The flag bearers and leadership of the various political parties have an obligation to call their supporters to order and ask them to refrain from the perpetration of violence. Indeed, they have a duty to reprimand or sanction any member of their parties who engages in violence and unacceptable political conduct. The country’s electoral laws outline clear procedures through which political parties and their supporters could seek redress to acts and practices they consider untoward in the biometric voters registration exercise and even the general election. Even as it calls on the political parties and their supporters to exercise restraint, the DAILY GRAPHIC also urges the police to take firm control of the situation, so that things do not get out of hand. Invariably, policemen have kept their distance from such violence because they fear to step on the toes of the politically and financially mighty in their quest to maintain law and order. However, the inaction of the police, especially in the case of Odododiodoo, only succeeds in emboldening the perpetrators of violence and allows the culture of impunity to fester. It is time for the police to, without fear or favour, act swiftly and decisively by arresting and prosecuting people who foment violence, disrupt the registration process or take the law into their own hands. That will send a clear signal to all deviants of the law and peace that they will not be tolerated any longer, apart from assuring the nation of the preservation of its peace and stability. The DAILY GRAPHIC also calls on religious bodies, civil society organisations, the media and democratic institutions to add their voice to the call for peace during the biometric voters registration exercise and in the run-up to the December general election. We all have a cardinal role to play to protect the peace in the country for the sake of national harmony, development and posterity.