The Ghana Police Service says it has arrested 26 persons for allegedly demonstrating, unlawfully, at the headquarters of the Electoral Commission in Accra.
The police in a statement said the suspects, made up of 15 males and 11 females, were picked up on Thursday, December 17, 2020, when they thronged major streets leading to the Commission.
It said all the 26 persons have been cautioned as investigations continue but those found culpable will be made to face court.
“The protestors, in the early hours of Thursday, 17th December 2020, thronged major streets leading to the Electoral Commission, amidst the burning of car tyres, pelting stones and causing heavy vehicular traffic and congestion,” the police said.
It added that “all suspects are being taken through due process and provisionally cautioned on the offences of Unlawful Assembly, Holding of Special Event without notification and Obstruction. Those found culpable would be arraigned.”
It said the protestors were dispersed through the use of a “non-lethal riot control management approach.”
Read the police’s statement below:
POLICE ARREST 26 ELECTORAL COMMISSION PROTESTORS
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested 26 persons, 15 males and 11 females for unlawfully demonstrating at the Electoral Commission (EC) Headquarters in Accra.
The protestors, in the early hours of Thursday, 17th December, 2020, thronged major streets leading to the Electoral Commission, amidst the burning of car tyres, pelting stones and causing heavy vehicular traffic and congestion.
The Police, however, managed to disperse the crowd using a non-lethal riot control management approach and arrested twenty-six (26) protestors in the process.
All suspects are being taken through due process and provisionally cautioned on the offences of Unlawful Assembly, Holding of Special Event without notification and Obstruction. Those found culpable would be arraigned.
The public is hereby advised to adhere to the tenets of the Public Order Act, 1994 (ACT 491) which requires organisers of special events to duly notify the police ahead of intended demonstrations.
The leaders and supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have been holding a series of protests across the country to protest what they describe as a rigged election.
They have vowed to continue holding the various protests across the country until the EC addresses their concerns.
