A whopping 66 per cent of Ghanaians have associated political vigilante groups who are perceived to cause violence with the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
These groups are perceived to be used as conduits by the political parties to perpetrate violence at various constituencies.
Meanwhile, 18 per cent of population has also linked these groups with the opposition New Patriotic Party.
This was revealed in a research conducted by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) in their pre-election survey release for October 2016.
According to the research, a significant minority of Ghanaians claimed awareness of political party affiliated private militias such as Azorka Boys, Bolga Bull Dogs, Invincible Forces, Bamba Boys and the Kandahar Boys.
Other groups identified included Aluta Boys, Nima Boys, Salifu Eleven, Zongo Caucus, Verandar Boys, Supreme, Mahama Boys, Delta Force, Badariba, Basuka Boys and Bindiriba.
The CDD report also mentioned that nearly 7 out of every 10 respondents who claimed awareness of these groups associated them with the NDC, while 18% linked them to the NPP.
However, irrespective of the presumed party affiliation of these private militias, a clear majority of Ghanaians (63%) regarded their operations and activities as a threat to democracy, and risk to the country.
The December 7 poll has been described as one of Ghana’s fiercely contested elections and the stakes are high for all the political parties and their candidates.
According to the research, majority of Ghanaians representing about 54 per cent believe political parties and or candidates are also likely to use violence in the upcoming 2016 elections.
Some of the hotspots identified in the country was Northern Region which constituted about 53 per cent, followed by Brong Ahafo with 38 per cent, Upper West with 34 per cent, Ashanti, and Eastern Regions are more likely than people in Western, Volta or Central Regions (by 15%) to perceive violent clashes after the announcement of the election results.
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