There was confusion at the venue of the governing New Patriotic Party’s constituency elections in the Okaikoi South on Thursday morning, as some members massed up to prevent the polls from taking off.
According to them, more than 400 names have been removed from the constituency album.
Speaking to Citi News, the 1st Vice Chairman of the NPP in the Okaikoi South Constituency, William Sangmor, said the process has not been free and fair.
“Those that we know to be the delegates for the election this morning have all been changed. Over 400 people have had their names taken off the album and their pictures changed. We only received the album yesterday [Wednesday] after finishing it long ago, informing us that the election is this morning. So the people here are trying to prevent the election from taking place, ensuring that the right thing is done.”
The election is supposed to start at 7:00 am, but as the situation is, the setup is done, but the people are not happy, so they are not going to vote. It is very unfair.”
Meanwhile, the police have managed to control the crowd and voting is underway.
The Kaneshie Divisional Police Commander, ACP Faakye Kumi, also confirmed the arrest of persons who threatened mayhem earlier.
“As the agitations are rising, we have to make sure there is calm, so we will be here till the election is over to provide security to the people. We have however made some arrests and will take them through the due process of the law.”
Three aggrieved delegates on April 26, 2022, filed an injunction against the upcoming election as the defendants, Mr Latiff Amano, the Regional representative for the constituency and the NPP have themselves selected some members to be part of the polling station executive position.
No election was held to make public the new executives, as the Album containing the names was hidden until yesterday, which created anxiety and division amongst the members.
