General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketia must not rest on their oars in the pursuit of perpetrators of the violence that occurred in some constituencies during the Talensi by-election held on Tuesday.
He said the police should not be swayed by comments being made in the media but strive and ensure that the culprits are made to face the law.
Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show ‘Dwaso Nsem’, the General Secretary who is affectionately called ‘General Mosquito’ said, “the police and security services should ignore the noise people are making on radio and go into the merits of the case and anyone found liable must be duly punished”.
A by-election held at Talensi in the Upper East region on Tuesday ended with pockets of violence and gunshots.
The New Patriotic Party’s Vice-Chairman, Freddie Blay and the party’s National Treasurer, Abankwah Yeboah were among the few rushed to the hospital for treatment after they were attacked at the constituency capital, Tongo.
Joy News’ Upper East regional correspondent, Albert Sore on Tuesday during the elections reported there was chaos especially at the offices of the NPP.
Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Koku Anhyidoho said in an interview with Joy News he was the first to bear the brunt of agitated supporters of the NPP who had mounted a roadblock in front of its constituency office.
He said he saw NPP National Youth Organiser Sammy Awuku and Mustapha Hamid, spokesperson for 2016 flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo among the agitated crowd.
But General Mosquito says the only way to find the perpetrators is to allow the police to do their work without any interference.
This he believes is the only way to end election-related violence and deter people from disrupting elections through violence.
“If we do not punish people who are responsible for this, our democracy will be compromised. People are encouraged because they know that no matter what they do, they will get away with it.
“If we do not deal with election-related violence, our democracy will be seriously affected. Let’s not let sleeping dogs lie”, he added.
He said is extremely disappointed that his party’s victory – which deserves to be celebrated – has been marred by violence, tainting the integrity of people in the Talensi constituency.
He said he is totally appalled by what went on in Talensi and is surprised that “in this day and age such a thing will happen”.
Source: myjoyonline
