The Flagbearer of the Peoples National Convention (PNC) Dr. Edward Nasigri Mahama insists that the use of thugs to intimate and harass political opponents in Ghana is unconstitutional and alien to the body politics of Ghana.
He indicates that the practice must be discouraged and advised politicians to desist from engaging the services of these hoodlums who cause fear and panic prior, during and after elections aimed at favoring one political party against the other.
Speaking on Ultimate Breakfast Show hosted by Prince Minkah, Dr. Mahama bemoaned the practice observing that it is a disincentive to deepening democracy in the country indicating that persons engaged in the act must bow their heads in shame.
“They should rather educate these thugs on the policies and programmes they intend to bring on board when they are voted into power so that they can propagate their campaign messages than causing confusion”, he said.
The PNC Flagbearer added that it is critical for leaders of the various political parties to dwell their campaigns on issues rather than acts of violence and intimidation under the guise that some areas are their perceived strongholds.
According to him, no political party can hold the preserve of one place as its stronghold as the electorates are now discerning and vote on issues rather than being influenced on the conduct of these hoodlums.
“We don’t need thugs and I will urge my colleague flagbearers in the other parties to bring an end to this menace that has bedeviled the country. These thugs do not do us any good but only create acrimony and trouble for the citizenry”, he observed
Meanwhile, he has proposed that registration onto the electoral album of the country should be an ongoing process and should not be done as currently witnessed.
“Anyone who attains the age of voting should be allowed to register and not wait for the EC to announce the opportunity for registration”, he added.
Source: GhanaWeb
