The General Assembly Elections on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at the University of Ghana were characterized by turmoil. In a video posted by Univers TV that GhanaWeb saw, a fight amongst students is shown breaking out during the election. The voting site, Mensah Sarbah Hall, was the setting for the viral film, which showed a chaotic scene as some students stole the ballot box. As a result of the disorderly behavior turning violent, people started hitting each other and breaking tables and chairs. The election was consequently halted by the Electoral Commission (EC).
The Students' Representative Council (SRC) General Secretary's behavior, which exacerbated the commotion, was criticized in the EC's statement. The General Secretary's actions, according to the statement, violated the EC's constitutional rights and obligations to conduct elections, endangering the commission's independence. In order to preserve peace, order, and calm, the statement characterized the attempted interference with the EC's authority as the major source of substantial stress. However, the statement omitted to provide precise information about the General Secretary's actions.
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The SRC strongly condemned the incident, describing it as disheartening. In their statement, the Executive Council of the UGSRC expressed deep regret and disappointment regarding the disruptive incident that occurred during the scheduled election for the Speaker position. The SRC acknowledged the chaos and acts of violence that took place, resulting in harm to individuals and property damage. The statement apologized to those affected by the disruption and emphasized that no one found responsible would be shielded from the consequences of their actions.
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| (Photo credit: Ghanaweb.com) |
The incident at the University of Ghana serves as a reminder of the importance of peaceful and orderly conduct during democratic processes. It is essential for all participants to respect the rules and procedures established by the constitution and electoral bodies. Transparency, fairness, and a commitment to nonviolence are crucial in fostering an environment where elections can be conducted successfully and with integrity.
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With the suspension of the General Assembly Elections, it will be necessary for the university administration, the EC, and the SRC to engage in dialogue and take appropriate measures to address the issues that led to the unfortunate disturbance. By learning from this event and implementing necessary reforms, the University of Ghana can strive towards conducting future elections in a peaceful and inclusive manner.
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