The New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress have been urged by the National Peace Council in the Ashanti Region to desist from any actions that would destabilize today’s by-election in Kumawu, Ghana.
The two major political parties were advised to maintain decorum by Rt. Rev. Nuh Ben Abubekr, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the National Peace Council.
“We want peace, no one liked what happened at Ayawaso Wuogon constituency during the by-election. We don’t want it to be repeated here. Parliament has also enacted a law, the police chief Dampare George Akuffo has also met the two main political parties. We expect them to follow the law and follow the road map they themselves have set up. The EC officials who have been selected to see to the running of the by-election, so they should do their work properly and impartially without deviating from what they have been taught,” Rt. Rev. Nuh Ben Abubekr advised.
Following the passing of the incumbent MP, Philip Basoah, around 34,000 voters are anticipated to cast their ballots at 78 polling places in the Kumawu constituency to choose a new Member of Parliament.
Four candidates including Ernest Anim of the NPP, Kwasi Amankwaa of the NDC, and two independent candidates with the same name: Kwaku Duah are vying to replace Mr. Basoah.
Benjamin Bannor Bio, the Ashanti Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, said in a press conference before today’s election that political parties should hire sensible persons to serve as poll workers.
“What we are requiring from the candidates is for them to provide effective polling agents, not noisy ones. But the one who knows the difference between 69 and 96, the one who can understand adding up figures, for them to be at all the polling centres to represent them.
“They should be there throughout the voting period, during counting they should be there and observe. If after counting they are not in agreement, they can call for recounting. When it’s done, declaration of results forms will be filled, and they need to sign and take a copy,” the Ashanti Regional Director of the Electoral Commission entreated.
Source: Citinewsroom
