NDC primary: Alabi votes after struggling to find his name on the NDC voters register

General News of Saturday, February 23, 2019

Source: citinewsroom.com

2019-02-23

Joshua Alabi, future flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), was able to vote after a first fear of not appearing on the voter register.

Professor Alabi arrived at the Krowor polling station with great enthusiasm, but was delayed by the initial blockage.

But after consulting some officials, the issue was resolved and the presidential hopeful was allowed to vote.

EC officials refused to give details of what led to the omission of Professor Alabi's name from the register.

After finally voting, Professor Alabi expressed his relief to the media.

"I'm glad we crossed the system and corrected it. [the ommission] and I voted, "he said.

Although he did not respond to suggestions of sabotage, he criticized the electoral process by stating that it was not a good omen for other delegates if even a candidate was to to face such challenges.

"For someone who has voted all his life here but can not find his name in his constituency, you can imagine what will happen to other people who are supposed to vote," said Professor Alabi.

Delegates have trouble finding names

Other delegates also reported problems with the register of electors.

Some delegates from Ho Central constituency were unable to find their names in the register.

According to the director of elections in the central electoral district, Pascal Agbagba, the party can do nothing for them in the short term.

NDC regional officials for Ashanti also said they were working to ensure that some delegates would not be disenfranchised during the polls.

It is also feared that some delegates, including former appointed members, may not be able to find their names in the register of certain voting centers.

Voting in the Asunafo North constituency was also delayed as election officials struggled to locate the names of some delegates in the voter register.

Nurudeen, Goosie Tanoh unable to vote

Two others of the aspirants; Nurudeen Iddrisu and Goosie Tanoh will not be allowed to vote in the polling stations as they do not meet the eligibility criteria.

"One should have served as a member of the executive branch, constituency or region; or served in the former NSC member as Minister of State, DCE, MP or Ambbadador. If you do not belong to any of the categories, you can not vote. So, they do not have the right to vote. These rights are written into the party constitution. So, if you do not qualify according to these criteria, you would not have the right to vote, but that does not stop you from challenging, "said NDC President Samuel Ofosu Ampofo.