Isaac Appiah
Some aggrieved members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Atwima Kwanwoma Constituency have called for the re-run of elections at four polling stations-Kromoase D/A JHS ‘A,’ Kromoase D/A JHS ‘C,’ Bebu and Trede Carpenter.
The polls were said to have been held in violation of the regulations of the NPP at the affected polling stations.
According to the NPP members, there was a systematic plan to disenfranchise some members, while some candidates were withdrawn from the race at the eleventh hour.
Addressing the media in Kumasi, spokesman of the aggrieved NPP members, Isaac Appiah Newton, alleged that people were hand-picked and declared unopposed after the constituency chairman, Emmanuel Agyei Dankwa, had ensured the disqualification of candidates, who are said to be old ‘guards.’
He stated that Mr Dankwa perpetuated the illegality through James Kofi Karikari, who was allegedly suspended by the party for throwing his support behind an independent candidate, Dr Ernest Opoku during 2016 general elections.
Mr Newton said the discrepancies affected results, particularly at the Kromoase D/A JHS ‘C’ polling station, where the re-election of a former secretary, Stephen Nsan was blocked.
He claimed people were made to use their hands to vote.
Chairman’s response
But Mr Dankwa, in an interview with DAILY GUIDE, added that the polls were conducted in a free and fair manner.
He explained that many of the disqualified candidates did not meet the requirement to vie for the post, saying Isaac Appiah Newton had transferred his vote to Accra.
The NPP chairman denied accusations that he used Kofi Karikari to carry out a grand scheme against the contestants.
From Ernest Kofi Adu, Kumasi
CAPTION: Isaac Appiah Newton addressing the media