Managing Election- Relation Violence for Democratic Stability in Ghana political contests. A structural angle argues that society and politics are organized in a manner that is likely to generate conflict (Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, 2001:1). These two perspectives are reinforced by ethnic rivalries and mobilization in politics in most African countries that have been volatile during elections(Atuobi, 2008:11). Elections in themselves do not generate violence. However, in the case of Africa one can allude to the fragility of states and societies, coupled with the deep-seated, ethno-religious rivalries and the poor socio-economic conditions that reduce electoral processes to avenues for settling differences. Dissatisfied political leaders and/or their supporters often resort to violent protests, destruction of property, injuring and at times killing perceived political opponents as a means of expressing their dissatisfaction with the outcomes of electoral processes(Atuobi, 2008:11). This is especially so in the instances of post-elections violence. Furthermore, election-related violence is closely linked to the neo­patrimonial nature of African states, the nature of power contestation as well as weak democratic institutions(Omotola, 2010:51). Therefore, during elections, sympathizers or'political clients' who have been offered or promised some reward by their patron politicians in their quest for power, would do all that it takes to ensure that their patrons emerge victorious in elections, even if it means resorting to violent tactics to exclude political opponents. The foregoing conceptual perspective provides a framework for analyzing the trends of political patronage, its impact on and its role in contemporary Ghanaian politics. 187