Story: Franklin Asare-Donkoh
Confusion erupted at the venue of the New Patriotic Party’s Constituency Elections in the Okaikoi South in the Greater Accra region Thursday, April 28, 2022 as some aggrieved members massed up to prevent the polls from taking off.
The aggrieved members alleged that more than 400 names have been expunged from the Constituency album.
Speaking to the media, amidst the confusion, the 1st Vice Chairman of the Okaikoi South Constituency Branch of the NPP, Mr. William Sangmor, maintained the process leading to the Constituency Elections 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 expunged from the album and their pictures changed. We only received the album yesterday Wednesday, the 27th day of April 28, 2022, 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 as at the time of leaving the venue.
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.