Over 100 people, mainly supporters of Ghana’s President-elect John Mahama, have been arrested following violent protests that have erupted across the country in the wake of the election.

The unrest has seen attacks on state institutions, looting, and arson, including the burning of electoral commission offices, which were targeted in response to delayed results and disputed parliamentary outcomes.

Police and military personnel have been injured during the disturbances, and authorities have vowed to restore order.

Mahama, who won the election with 56.6% of the vote, against Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia’s 41.6%, condemned the violence in a live broadcast on Tuesday night. He called on the president and security forces to take immediate and decisive action to stop the lawlessness and urged his supporters to remain calm.

Among those arrested, 106 individuals are in custody, including nine accused of setting fire to an electoral commission office in the Eastern Region.

The Ghanaian army also issued a warning against attempts to disarm soldiers deployed to restore order, stating that military personnel are authorized to use lethal force if necessary to protect lives and property. Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quarshie emphasized the military’s commitment to peace while warning against further disruptions.

Civil society groups and Catholic bishops have condemned the violence as “unacceptable,” emphasizing that it goes against Ghana’s values of peace and unity. The bishops called on political leaders to hold their supporters accountable and work towards calming the situation.

Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) secured a significant parliamentary majority, winning 186 seats compared to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 76, with 10 seats still pending results.

The country’s “winner-takes-all” political culture has heightened tensions during transitions, as victorious parties often attempt to seize control of state institutions and push for the removal of government appointees.

Outgoing Vice-President Bawumia urged Mahama to manage his supporters carefully, stressing the importance of a peaceful transition.

Mahama is set to be sworn in on January 7, 2025, with promises to introduce economic reforms, create jobs, and eliminate unpopular taxes that featured prominently in his campaign.