Election 2020: Arrests made in fresh anti-EC protest in Accra

Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters have hit the streets of Ghana’s capital Accra, in fresh protests against election results.

They are 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.

‼️BREAKING‼️

MASSIVE DEMONSTRATION AT THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION AS NDC SUPPORTERS BURN ITEMS AND TYRES, WHILE THE POLICE SPRAY WATER ON THEM.

“NO MAHAMA, NO PEACE THEY SAY.”

A CIVILIAN JUST FIRED A GUN & THE POLICE FIRES BACK.

A thread. pic.twitter.com/H8jU18xicG

— Ghana Live (@GhanaLive_) December 17, 2020

Major roads leading to the EC and other installations have been blocked to traffic.

The police said some of the protesters have been arrested.

“The police had to move in with water canons to quench the fire. Again we saw some buying petrol from a nearby fuel station with that same motive and the police had to make some arrests to make sure we are on top of affairs”, said Accra’s Head of Police Operations, ACP Kwasi Ofori.

“We are here to maintain law and order..and we will do our best to protect the facilities around here”, he said.

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