Media Practitioner group, Network of Journalists for the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa (PROMOAFRICA) has condemned the violence at registration centers that led to reported killing in the Bono part of the country.
Since the Electoral Commission (EC) commenced the compilation of a new voter register last month, it is almost as if incidences of violence are recorded at multiple centers every other week.
In the reported cases, the common variable is the alleged involvement of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) or National Democratic Congress (NDC) followers.
On Monday, a similar incidence occurred at Step to Christ registration centre in the Awutu Senya East constituency when the MP for the area Hon. Mavis Hawa-Koomson was touring some of the registration centers.
Referring to that incidence which saw the MP firing a gunshot, PROMOAFRICA says it was very disheartening to see persons with disability on a wheelchair, aged persons, pregnant women, or lactating mothers at the polling station.
The group has therefore condemned the ongoing politically driven violent acts as they appeal to the National Security apparatus and the National Peace Council to step in and crack the whip without fear or favour.
Details of the press statement……
21st July 2020
Press Release
PROMOAFRICA CONDEMNED CONTINUES POLITICAL VIOLENCE AT EC REGISTRATION CENTERS
The Network of Journalists for the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa (PROMOAFRICA), per this statement, condemn the growing act of political violence and shootings by known ministers of states and political actors at the ongoing EC registration centers across the country.
It’s very disheartening to see persons with disabilities on a wheelchair, aged persons, pregnant women, or lactating mothers at the polling station in Kasoa during shooting running for cover.
The EC directives that these people should go to their district offices doesn’t mean that we don’t visit polling stations to register again because most of the EC offices in the various districts are not disability friendly and so some disabled persons prefer to go their polling stations to register for convenience seek.
Unfortunately, Security personnel at the polling stations are not even holding truncheons, but Hon. Ministers of State Hawa Koomson and other political actors are brandishing harmful weapons, but well-trained security personnel deemed unnecessary to carry one.
We are hereby appealing to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo to respect the AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN AFRICA to take appropriate and effective measures to protect and promote the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities as stated in article 7: a “States Parties shall: Take specific measures to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, arbitrary displacements, humanitarian emergencies, and natural disasters”.
We are also appealing to the National Security apparatus and the National Peace Council to step in and crack the whip without fear or favor. ” Equality is Equity ”
SIGNED: Mariam Nyarkoah Amponsah
Executive Director- PROMOAFRICA
(Tel: 00233506661433)
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