Northern Region Likely to be violent after election results - CDD survey

A survey conducted by policy think tank, Center for Democratic Development (CDD) has revealed that the Northern Region would be the most violent prone region in the country after the declaration of elections results.

Out of the 2,680 respondents who took part in the survey about 53 percent said the Region could end up in violence.

The strongholds of both the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) were less likely to be violent and recorded low marks. 

About 34 percent of respondents believe Ashanti Region could be plunged into violence, while 18 percent believe there could be violence in the Volta Region.

Outdooring the research findings in Accra Wednesday, Senior Research fellow at CDD, Daniel Amoah Attoh said the revelations of the survey should move the security apparatus to act swiftly ahead of the polls.

He said a surprising 15 percent adult Ghanaians said they would prefer that their candidates emerge victorious in the election even if it was done in an unfair manner.

“This means that for the 15 percent they want their candidates to use all means to win the election,” he said, adding, this is a challenge that the nation has to address. 

The research also found that 20 percent of Ghanaians do not subscribe to the idea where aggrieved candidates head to court to challenge the election results.

They were unhappy with the eight months long 2012 election dispute in which the NPP was challenging the election results which was in favor of President John Mahama of the NDC.

Mr Amoah Attoh said the respondents said they would want the aggrieved candidates to take the law into their own hands instead of challenging the issue in court.

The survey was conducted across the 10 Regions of the country and had 2,680 respondents.