By Edward Acquah
Accra, Jan. 3, GNA – President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged the Police to reassess their methods for handling electoral violence, following incidents during the recent general elections.
In his final State of the Nation Address on Friday, the President recalled instances where political party activists overwhelmed the Police at collation centres.
However, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged that this recommendation was not intended to undermine the “excellent job” the Police did in overseeing a successful electoral process.
“I am hoping that we will soon reach the stage that the unnecessary tension that accompany our elections would disappear, and elections would become simply something that we do and do without a farce and with flare,” the President said.
Despite the 2024 General Election being largely peaceful, there were instances of violence in certain areas, particularly at the collation centres, where political party supporters gathered in large numbers.
The Police faced significant challenges in managing the large crowds at these centres, and in some cases, barricades meant to protect the collation centres were breached.
The Electoral Commission reported that these incidents disrupted the collation process in the affected constituencies, with Returning Officers being “put under duress” to declare results in favor of specific candidates, bypassing due process.
President Akufo-Addo condemned the violence that followed the polls, calling it unacceptable.
He, however, praised the Electoral Commission, led by Mrs. Jean Mensa, for successfully overseeing the last two elections in a “praiseworthy manner” despite the challenges it encountered.
The President emphasized that the successful conduct of the elections was a significant achievement for Ghana’s democratic development.
He also congratulated President-Elect John Dramani Mahama on his “historic comeback victory” and assured him of his support in ensuring the smooth administration of the country.
President Akufo-Addo also congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang for making history as the first female to hold the Office of the Vice President in Ghana.
GNA