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General News of Monday, February 4, 2019
Source: citinewsroom.com
2019-02-04
Sydney Casely-Hayford is a social commentator
Social commentator Sydney Casely believes that the way security agencies handled the partial election of Ayawaso West Wuogon has undermined the country's image.
Casely Hayford said Saturday that the way in which national security appeared at the electoral center was intimidating and gave the impression that they were on a mission to fight against the Islamic State group, ISIS.
"I am dismayed and national security should accept that these agents and these masked hooligans in question, sitting in SWAT police cars and patrolling the table to do what they did, do not have to do it. were not really national security agents. When I looked at them, they were in gear that symbolized the fact that they were going to fight against ISIS, with all the equipment needed to stop an attack. "
"We embarrbaded ourselves as a country. National security should be ashamed of what it did. Why should they fire a warning shot at a by-election? He asked.
The identity of some masked men who allegedly thwarted chaos in the by-election was unknown until state Minister of National Security Bryan Acheampong revealed that an interview with Citi News that they are state-sanctioned security agents. .
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.
Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election: Low turnout due to intimidation measures on the part of security – CODEO
The National Election Observation Coalition (CODEO) also wants the government to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the deployment of masked and heavily armed men in various polling stations during the Thursday's by-election of Ayawaso West Wuogon. .
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.
CODEO's national coordinator, Albert Arhin, said deployment of these staff in polling stations during elections should not be punished.
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's intimidating and that's what CODEO says: it should not happen again. An investigation should be made and should never happen again, "he said.
Catholic Bishops Request Investigation of Violence During the Partial Election of Ayawaso West Wuogon
The Ghana Conference of Catholic Bishops added its voice to the many condemnations of the violence that detracted from the beauty of the by-election held Thursday in Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency.
In a statement, they called for a thorough investigation into the case.
"We therefore call on Ghana's police and all other relevant security agencies to thoroughly investigate the incidents and to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to trial."
The Conference stated that this incident was a disadvantage for the success of democratic progress in Ghana.
The Ayawaso West by-election was peaceful, harmonious and orderly – EC
The Electoral Commission (EC) rejected comments that the January 31st by-election in Ayawaso West Wuogon's constituency was reportedly marked by violence.
The EC maintains that the survey was conducted in a peaceful manner.
Commission President Jean Adukwei Mensa said the unrest was going on outside the polling stations and could not be linked to the Electoral Commission.
"The Commission has put in place adequate and effective security measures to maintain order in all polling stations. At the end of the by-election in the constituency of Ayawaso West Wuogon, the Electoral Commission is pleased to announce that the polling process in the 137 polling stations was held in the calm, serenity and order. "
"The staff of the electoral commission and the security agencies in the polling stations have behaved in an orderly and professional manner," insisted the President of the EC.
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