The National Peace Council in the Ashanti Region has urged the two major parties, the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress, to avoid activities that could lead to mayhem in today’s by-election in Kumawu, Ashanti which is ongoing today, May 23, 2023.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the National Peace Council Rt. Rev. Nuh Ben Abubekr speaking to the media asked the two parties to ensure that the process goes through without violence.
Following the death of incumbent MP Philip Basoah, 34,000 voters will cast ballots in 78 polling stations in the Kumawu constituency to elect a new Member of Parliament.
Four candidates are vying to replace Mr. Basoah, including Ernest Anim of the NPP, Kwasi Amankwaa of the NDC, and two independent candidates with the same name: Kwaku Duah.
The Chair of the Council said “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.” .
Meanwhile, Ashanti Regional Director of the Electoral Commission Benjamin Bannor Bio advises political parties to hire level-headed people as Polling Agents.
“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 said.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana