The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the National Peace Council, Rt. Rev. Nuh Ben Abubekr, has urged the two main political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) to maintain peace in Kumawu during the by-election today.
According to him, the peace of the constituency should be respected at all times in today’s exercise. In light of this, he requested the two main political parties to ensure that they comport themselves.
Rev Abubekr stated that the Council does not want a repetition of what happened in the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election in 2019.
“We want peace, no one liked what happened at Ayawaso West 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.”
Rt. Rev. Nuh Ben Abubekr
Furthermore, Rev. Nuh Ben Abubekr called on the Electoral Commission (EC) and its assigns to do their work without discrimination. He noted that the EC officials who have been selected to see to the running of the by-election should do their work properly and impartially without deviating from what they have been taught.
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.
Speaking to journalists ahead of today’s election, Ashanti Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Benjamin Bannor Bio, expressed the need for political parties to employ level-headed people as Polling Agents. He emphasized that what is required 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.”
Benjamin Bannor Bio
Electorates vote in Kumawu constituency today
Voters in Kumawu today, Tuesday, May 23, are expected to cast their ballots in 78 polling stations to elect a new Member of Parliament following the demise of incumbent MP, Philip Basoah.
Meanwhile, electorate started voting in the by-election in Kumawu at 7AM. Electoral materials were transported early this morning to voting centers in the constituency by the Electoral Commission.
The Electoral Commission which is organising the by-election has assured that all necessary materials were ready for the by-election.
The two main political parties prior to the by-election hit the grounds to canvass votes for their parliamentary candidates. Both parties introduced their parliamentary candidate to the chiefs and people of the area.
The flagbearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama, called on NDC members in Kumawu to vote massively for the party’s parliamentary candidate, Kwasi Amankwaa popularly called ‘Tom Cee’.
The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, also admonished New Patriotic Party supporters to turn up in their numbers to vote overwhelmingly for the party’s parliamentary candidate for Kumawu, Ernest Yaw Anim.
Interacting with NPP supporters in Kumawu ahead of the by-election, the Vice President noted that they want to emphasize the party’s dominance in Kumawu and that they are poised to retain the seat
Nonetheless, both NDC and NPP have pledged to play their respective roles in ensuring peace during and after the Kumawu by-election.
READ ALSO: NPP Anticipates Reward Of Another Win In Kumawu By-election
