26 NDC protestors arrested

The police have arrested 26 supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for causing chaos at the Electoral Commission headquarters on Thursday.

The suspects are made up of 15 males and 11 females, according to a statement signed by the Accra regional spokesperson of the police, DSP Effia Tenge.

“The protestors, in the early hours of Thursday, 17 December 2020, thronged major streets leading to the Electoral Commission, amidst the burning of car tyres, pelting stones and causing heavy vehicular traffic and congestion,” the statement said.

It added: “The police, however, managed to disperse the crowd using a non-lethal riot control management approach and arrested 26 protestors in the process.”

“All suspects are being taken through due process and provisionally cautioned on the offences of unlawful assembly, holding of special event without notification and obstruction. Those found culpable would be arraigned,” the statement noted.

The demonstration

The irate youth were protesting against alleged cheating by the Electoral Commission (EC) in the country’s polls that secured victory for incumbent President Akufo-Addo.

NDC flagbearer John Mahama is yet to concede defeat alleging that the election was “flawed”.

Demo at EC Headquarters

Thursday’s protests saw many NDC activists and supporters marching to the Headquarters of the EC in Accra setting bonfires in the process.

Adorned in red and black attire the protesters held placards with several inscriptions that read: “No Mahama, No Peace”, “Our Democracy in Danger”, Jean Mensa is incompetent”, among others.

They were, however, met by heavily armed police officers who fired water to disperse the crowd.

Background

According to official results, Mr Akufo-Addo obtained 51.6% of the vote, compared with 47.4% won by his main rival, ex-President John Mahama.

Mr Mahama has not yet conceded defeat. His party has rejected the results, citing alleged irregularities.

It was the third time the two politicians had faced each other in a presidential election.

The opposition also accused supporters of vote-buying, making threats against its supporters, and of violations during the count.

But the governing party leaders have flatly denied the accusations of electoral fraud.

Source: Daily Mail GH