A scene during the NDC demonstration in Kumasi
A chaotic scene unfolded in Kumasi yesterday as police clashed with protesters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), resulting in injuries and arrests.
The nationwide demonstration, organised by NDC, aimed to express discontent over the Electoral Commission’s (EC) alleged handling of the irregularities in the provisional voters’ register.
Eyewitnesses reported that the situation escalated when protesters breached police barricades near the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, shattered office glass doors of the EC and injured a female police officer.
This was after they were prevented from joining the NDC executives who entered the regional office of the EC to present their petition to the Ashanti Regional Director of the Commission as part of the demonstration.
The police responded with arrest of some protesters, leading to a violent confrontation.
Some of the NDC protesters claimed the police fired shots during the melee, but the police have denied any shooting incident at the EC office in Kumasi.
In a statement issued yesterday, the police clarified that some protesters who deviated from the agreed-upon plan and attempted to forcibly enter the EC office compound were restrained, adding that the situation was brought under control without any gunfire.
“We would like to take this opportunity to urge the media to be circumspect in their reportage,” the police said.
The NDC protests, which were held across the 16 regions of the country, were to press home for a forensic audit of the voters’ register.
Takoradi
From Takoradi in the Western Region, Emmanuel Opoku reports that members of the NDC who participated in a street protest against the EC commended the Western Regional Police Command for its exceptional professionalism during yesterday’s demonstration.
The Western Regional Communications Officer of the NDC, Kirk Mensah, praised the police for maintaining peace and security during the protest.
Hundreds of NDC supporters took to the streets of Sekondi-Takoradi, protesting against the Electoral Commission and demanding a credible voter register for the upcoming December 7 elections.
The demonstrators held placards that read, “We will protect the ballot with our lives”, “Fix the Register Jean Mensa,” “Bola EC, Bola NPP”, and “Crook Jean Mensa is a threat to our democracy”.
The protest march culminated at the Western Regional EC office in Sekondi, where the Western Region Secretary of the NDC, Joseph Nelson, presented a petition to Deputy Regional EC boss, Joshua Ofori Prempeh.
Mr. Nelson emphasised that the NDC believes the voter register for the 2024 elections is riddled with inaccuracies and potentially biased towards a particular political party.
He called for an immediate forensic audit to ensure free and fair elections.
Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Deputy Minority Leader of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, echoed Nelson’s sentiments, stating that the EC is responsible for conducting transparent elections this year.
Mr. Buah also noted that the large turnout at the protest sent a clear message to the EC that “enough is enough.”
Tamale
From Tamale, Eric Kombat reports that hundreds of NDC supporters took to the streets of Tamale Metropolis in the Northern Region, marching through the central business district to protest against the Electoral Commission.
The opposition party members also demanded a forensic audit of the voter register, citing discrepancies ahead of the December 7 general election.
Starting at Jubilee Park, the demonstration ended at the Regional EC Office, where the NDC presented its petition.
The Northern Regional Secretary of the NDC, Mohammed Abdul-Salam, underscored the need for transparency, stating, “We’re not asking for a winner to be declared, but for the register to be audited to ensure credibility.”
“No amount of the manipulation of the register can give them that opportunity to hold on to power. We are ready for a democratic, transparent, credible and peaceful elections but we will not be victims of peace,” he added.
The Electoral Commission’s Northern Regional Director, Lucas Yiriyel, received the petition, promising to forward it to the national office for necessary action.
Accra
In Accra, Prince Fiifi Yorke reports that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for a bi-partisan investigation into the Electoral Commission’s handling of the voter register.
According to him, the General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, who led the party’s supporters to hit the streets of the national capital, emphasised the need for a forensic audit of the voters’ register.
Mr. Kwetey indicated that this step would ensure the integrity of country’s electoral process after presenting a petition to Parliament in Accra.
The NDC General Secretary again called for immediate publication of forensic findings, voters’ register re-exhibition, which will allow citizens to verify their information, correction of unauthorised vote transfers to prevent electoral manipulation, and definitive timetable to establish a clear schedule for electoral activities.
Also included in the NDC petition is an emergency stakeholder meeting to engage with ECOWAS, African Union, and other stakeholders, as well as accountability measures to implement safeguards against future manipulation.
The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, received the petition on behalf of Parliament, acknowledging it as a vital step towards enriching Ghana’s democracy.
He encouraged stakeholders to engage in discussions, stressing the importance of addressing genuine concerns.
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