The Emile Short Commission set up to investigate the violence that attended the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election has submitted its report.

The three commissioners, including law professor, Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu and former Inspector-General of Police, Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong with former Dean of GIMPA school of law, Kofi Abotsi as secretary to the commission, submitted the report on Thursday after a month-long public sitting in which testimonies were heard from security capos, political players, party supporters and vigilante groups.

The Commission was given a month to unravel the circumstances that led to violence in what was supposed to be a peaceful by-election.

Gunshots

At least seven people were said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries after the exchange of gunshots.

A team from national security descended to the constituency after they reportedly picked up intelligence that the opposition NDC had brought vigilante group from the north to disrupt the election, an allegation the NDC has been quick to dismiss.

Men from the national security told the Commission they had to return fire after members of the vigilante group opened fire on them but the NDC insisted none of its supporters carried weapons to the by-election let alone to fire.

They claimed the masked men from the National Security opened fire on them after some misunderstanding.

The Member of Parliament Sam George was assaulted in the ensuing confrontation.

Deliver on mandate

The Commission concluded its public sitting last week and submitted its report to the president Thursday.

Chair of the Commission Emile Short, who was also the former CHRAJ boss said they have “delivered on their mandate in record time.”

According to him, “all necessary grounds have been covered” hoping the government will find the recommedations useful in shaping political activity in the future.

The president in recieving the report, thanked the members of the Commission for a good job done.

He also hopede the “recommendation will help us” in finding lasting solutions to the canker of political vigilantism.

He said the government “will respond appropriately” to the report.