According to the National Security Secretariat, distrust in the Electoral Commission (EC) is empowering vigilante organizations affiliated with political parties to commit acts of violence that endanger the state’s security.
The secretariat’s strategic security strategy requires the EC to study and resolve the root causes of public distrust.
The opposition National Democratic Congress has made no secret of its disdain and distrust for the Electoral Commission’s present leadership, headed by Jean Mensah.
The National Security Department recognizes the danger such a stance provides to the state’s security.
According to the report, distrust in the election process is a significant cause of this danger and danger of party-political violence.
Despite prior instances of opposition parties winning elections in the nation, the suspicion of collaboration between the ruling party and the EC to rig elections in favor of the incumbent continues to push the situation toward conflict and possibly bloodshed, according to National Security.
It cautions that given the developing nature of these vigilante organizations and the impunity with which they often commit their illegal activities, the threat is likely to worsen if comprehensive measures to combat the phenomena are not enacted.
As decided by national security, the reaction will need Parliament to assess what legal steps are necessary to increase openness in our electoral processes and to prohibit the establishment and operation of political party vigilante groups in the country.
It requests that the Electoral Commission investigate the root causes of public distrust in its electioneering systems and procedures and take appropriate measures or offer suggestions to resolve them.
The national security secretariat’s opinions were echoed by Dr Ibn Chambas, the head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel. He urged the electoral authority to take efforts to foster confidence and dispel skepticism about its actions at a Center for Democratic Development (Ghana) election assessment seminar.
