The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Against Political Vigilantism (CCSAPV) is calling on government to rescind its decision and withdraw the white paper declining action on the Emile Short Commission’s report.

The group also want the Akufo-Addo led government to implement the Commission’s recommendations to the fullest.

According to them, recent incidences of ‘thuggery’ seen during the just ended NPP primaries as well as general concerns raised ahead of the upcoming elections calls for the punishment of the culprits of the Ayawaso West Wuogon By-election violence to serve as a deterrence to others.

“The Coalition is completely shocked that nine months after the incident, the president has refused to implement even one of the recommendations presented by the Emile Short Commission.

"As a result, perpetrators of such crime against the innocent electorates continue to walk shoulders high which we believe would eventually encourage others with similar ambition to soldier on,” they stated.

In the press statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the Coalition, Alimatu Issahak and the Chairman, Eben Fanuku, the group said government’s failure to implement the recommendations of the Emile Short Commission “makes mockery of government’s commitment to the fight against political vigilantism” and this may give way for more violence in the 2020 general elections."

The Coalition also stated that there are indications of thugs and other vigilante groups mobilizing to cause mayhem in the general elections.

“We are also reliably informed that scores of “gang” and ‘thugs’ are allegedly being recruited and kept at some vantage places in most constituencies awaiting election day deployment.

“Under the Mallam overhead, for instance, over 50 ‘thugs’ are stationed in a building called ‘The Palace’ with all kinds of weapons awaiting deployment before and during elections day,” they claimed.

“The ‘thugs’ at their pleasure allegedly move into the Mallam market to terrorize innocent traders and market women,” they added.

They are therefore calling on the government “to take interest in such matters and ensure that justice is dispensed fairly and equally to inspire confidence and discourage the public from seeking personal and instant justice.”