Voting controversy erupts in Ellembelle as Presiding Officer accused of breaching protocol
An incident of voting irregularity at the Ewiebo Junction D/A Primary 2B School polling station in Ellembelle has sparked controversy during the 2024 general elections, raising concerns about the integrity of the voting process.
The incident involved the Presiding Officer, Mr. Ebenezer Ampomah, who reportedly escorted a voter into the voting booth despite the voter not appearing to have any visible signs of disability or requesting assistance.
This prompted immediate objections from members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), who questioned the legality of the presiding officer’s actions.
“This is unacceptable. The voter showed no need for assistance, yet the presiding officer intervened.
This undermines the integrity of the voting process and threatens the secrecy of the ballot,” said an NDC agent who witnessed the event.
Eyewitnesses at the scene indicated that while the voter seemed confused, they did not explicitly ask for help.
The NDC agents raised concerns that any form of assistance should only occur after verifying the voter’s request, ensuring transparency to prevent any perception of undue influence or interference.
Defending his actions, Mr. Ampomah explained that he only intervened after noticing signs of hesitation from the voter.
“I acted in good faith, seeing the voter struggle to cast their vote. There was no intention to interfere with their choice or violate the process,” he stated.
The situation created tension at the polling station, with representatives from both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and NDC exchanging sharp words. Security personnel were quickly deployed to restore order and prevent further escalation.
Election observers present at the polling station have urged calm, calling on the Electoral Commission to investigate the incident thoroughly.
“It is crucial that the integrity of the electoral process is upheld. Any doubts must be addressed to ensure trust in the system,” said a representative of a local monitoring group.
The Electoral Commission has yet to release an official statement on the matter. However, the incident has added to the growing concerns over alleged irregularities in Ellembelle, a constituency known for its intense political competition.
As the election continues, residents of the area are calling for all parties to prioritize peace and fairness.
Meanwhile, NDC members have vowed to remain vigilant, ensuring that the voting process is closely monitored to prevent any further issues.
In a later clarification, Mr. Ampomah stated that the voter had expressed confusion and was unsure how to vote, which prompted his decision to offer assistance.
