Former Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Justice Emile Short, has urged the swift prosecution of those responsible for the violence and deaths that marked the 2020 general elections in Ghana.

He argued that prosecuting those responsible for the violence during the 2020 elections is essential for ensuring a peaceful election in 2024.

Speaking at the West Africa Policy Dialogue series, he emphasised the need for accountability, particularly for those involved in incidents that led to the loss of lives adding that anything contrary could erode public trust in the democratic process and potentially encourage further violence in future elections.

He added that punishing the offenders would assure the electorate that violence will not be tolerated during elections.

Additionally, he called for the full implementation of the recommendations from the investigation into the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence.

Justice Short also appealed to the Electoral Commission to build public trust through transparency and a strong commitment to free and fair elections.

He urged political parties to allow the justice system to act firmly against any members found guilty of misconduct.