The Assin North by-election came off on Tuesday, with James Gyakye Quayson of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) being declared the winner by the Electoral Commission (EC).
The Returning Officer for the election, Kofi Tsibu, declared James Gyakye Quayson the winner after he polled 17,245 votes, representing 57.56 percent of the valid votes cast, with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Charles Opoku, coming second with 12,630 votes, representing 42.15 percent.
Despite the pockets of scuffles reported by the media, overall the election was peaceful. President Akufo-Addo, whilst congratulating the NDC for the win, also commended the security services for maintaining law and order during the elections. The President stated that the peaceful and credible conduct of the Assin North by-election had strengthened the country’s democratic credentials.
Much as all the participants have lauded the police for its peaceful nature, it must also not be lost on us that it took a deliberate effort by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, who met with leaders of the political parties to establish the ground rules for the polls. The IGP cautioned the political parties to abide by the rules of the election and desist from any acts that could compromise the security of the area.
The Ghana Police Service was reported to have deployed drones at conflict-prone areas in the Assin North Constituency to capture situations of conflict and violence in real time during the by-election. The police also made sure that no weapons were allowed at the polling stations. Hundreds of police personnel were deployed in the area to ensure that peace prevails in the Assin North by-election. A similar template was deployed by the IGP during the Kumawu by-election in the Ashanti Region just recently.
The Chronicle is happy that, for once, all stakeholders in the Assin North by-election were happy with the work of the police in maintaining the peace. Apart from the NPP and President Akufo-Addo commending the security services for maintaining law and order during the elections, the NDC have also congratulated the police for being impartial and fair on the day. Despite the fact that the vehicle of the National Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress, George Opare Addo, was vandalised, he has commended the Ghana Police Service for maintaining law and order.
This does not normally happen in the country. The opposition party or losing party will always criticize the security services and Electoral Commission (EC) in the aftermath of the election. However, this time, all parties have commended the security services and EC for a good job done.
The Chronicle hopes that state institutions will take a cue from this and also opposition or losing parties must stop the blame game and accept the verdict of the electorate. Our advice to the Ghana Police Service is to keep up the good work and carry the same template into the forthcoming 2024 general elections.
Although a by-election in a constituency would not provide huge logistical challenge to the Police Service, the general elections will demand massive efforts from the IGP and his men and women in black. We hope the Police will be up to the challenge.
