[ad_1]
General News of Saturday, February 2, 2019
Source: citinewsroom.com
2019-02-02
CODEO believes men's presence has intimidated many voters
The Coalition of National Election Observers is calling on the government to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deployment of masked and heavily armed men in various polling stations during the Ayawaso by-elections on Thursday.
CODEO believes that the presence of these men intimidated many voters and contributed to the very low voter turnout.
The group of independent observers reported having counted up to 15 such people armed and masked in some polling stations during the elections.
The identity of the masked men and the instructions under which they were working were not known until Minister of State for National Security Bryan Acheampong disclosed in an interview. with Citi News that they were state-sanctioned security personnel.
Prior to that, the police hierarchy had denied knowing who the staff were.
The masked and armed men were captured on video and physically badaulted the Ningo Prampram MP, Sam George, during a violent altercation.
Sporadic shots were also reported at the polling station of La Bawaleshie presbytery school.
In an interview with Eyewitness News, CODEO's national coordinator, Albert Arhin, said the deployment of such staff at polling stations during elections should not be punished.
"Our point of view is that in every election, security planning is done with the EC. Our concern is that you go to a polling station and find about 13 or 15 security guards armed with gunshots, et cetera. We say that this does not make it easy for an election to run smoothly and that these elements must be considered and investigated. We can not have polling stations with hooded people, masked people, it would intimidate voters and it is not what we want, "he said.
Mr. Arhin said the low turnout was due to the tension created in the different polling stations.
"Have you seen the result of this election which is 19%? Around the world, you will never see people going to polling stations where security personnel will wear masks. It is intimidation and that is what CODEO says: this should no longer happen again. An investigation should be made and should never happen again, "he said.
New Patriotic Party candidate Lydia Seyram Alhbadan finally won the vote with 12,041 votes, or 68.30% after her main candidate Emmanuel Akwasi Brempong and the NDC boycotted the electoral process to protest the alleged attacks. against their members.
Source link
