Examining effects of electoral violence on victims in the Odododiodio Constituency during the 2020 Elections.

Abstract

This study examined the phenomenon of electoral violence in the Odododiodio Constituency in the Greater Accra Region. The study's primary purpose was to examine effects of electoral violence on victims in the constituency, their coping strategies, the type of support they received, and the implications of the violence on their human rights. The work was grounded in the frameworks of Electoral Violence Theory and Relative Deprivation Theory. The study employed a phenomenological design, utilising qualitative methods such as in-depth interviews to gather rich, firsthand accounts from victims of electoral violence. Using homogenous purposive sampling and exponential discriminative snowball sampling techniques, the study relied on a sample size of fifteen individuals who have been victims of electoral violence. At the point of data analysis, only the views of eight participants were factored into the analysis due to data saturation. In vivo coding was carried out, and the data collected were analysed using thematic analysis. On effects of electoral violence on victims, this study identified areas such as physical injuries where the victims had scars of wounds from machetes, stones and other sharp objects; damaged property; and loss of livelihoods. Again, on the issue of coping strategies that helped victims of electoral violence to navigate the difficult path of recovery, this study identified that victims, among others, used such techniques as connecting with family and friends and engaging in relaxation skills. Furthermore, regarding the types of support victims of electoral violence received, the study revealed that families, friends, churches, and some political party members supported the victims with financial aid to help pay hospital bills. Finally, from the study, it was evident that the victims were conscious of their fundamental human rights and that the electoral violence against them had a significant implication on their right to freedom of expression and right to peaceful enjoyment of property. Based on the findings of this research, it is recommended that trauma support programmes should be implemented to help victims cope with psychosocial distress through counselling, medical care, and structural support for rebuilding lives.