Security Analyst, Irbad Ibrahim, has called for reforms in Ghana’s electoral process, suggesting that by-elections be replaced with an automatic selection of a new candidate from the same political party as the deceased or resigned Member of Parliament. Speaking on Focus FM’s TeknoKrat show with host Sika Audrey Dzifa , Mr. Ibrahim argued that by-elections have become breeding grounds for vigilantism, which threatens both security forces and public safety.
“According to the law, acts of vigilantism attract a jail term of 10 to 15 years, yet no one has been duly punished. When people know there are no consequences for violent actions, impunity grows,” he cautioned.
He added that electoral violence during by-elections has become recurrent and should serve as a wake-up call for stakeholders. “Any form of incitement is a public safety concern and must be met with strict law enforcement.
Political exposure should not be an excuse for lawlessness,” he stressed. Mr. Ibrahim urged the police to enforce electoral laws more aggressively, noting that “10% execution and implementation of the law will make Ghana a safer place.”
With the Akwatia by-election, he emphasized the need for the constituency to “be a shining light” by demonstrating peaceful and lawful electoral conduct.