The National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party are angry with the Electoral Commission and the Ghana Police Service over the latter’s refusal to allow them add their Padlocks to the store room hosing the electoral materials for the 2020 elections.
The Upper East Regional branch of the electoral Commission received the electoral materials for the upcoming 2020 general elections at about 1:30pm at it’s office on friday , 20th November,2020.
The materials after inspection and certification by both the EC and political parties were taken to the Regional police headquarters for safe keeping.
At the police headquarters, the Electoral Commission refused the political parties from adding their Padlocks to the store room housing the electoral materials . The political parties however insisted that they be allowed to add their locks to the door which was refused.
Speaking to Simon Agana, on Word Fm, the Upper East Regional secretary of the NDC, hon. Donatus Akamugri said it was strange that for the first time, political parties were been prevented from securing the store rooms with their locks
“The deputy director of the electoral Commission said he won’t allow the political parties to add their locks to the room housing the electoral materials. We were surprised at that because it is the first time that I’m hearing that.”
Mr. Donatus said the issue was taken to the Regional police commander Mr. ACP Amopofo Duku for resolution but he also asked the deputy EC boss to consult from his bosses in Accra.
“ when we got to the police commander, he asked the EC official to consult from his bosses. He called two of the national deputies from Accra and they told him not to allow us to add our locks and the police also insisted that we won’t be allowed to add our looks.”
Alhaji Mogtar Abudu, the regional director of elections of the NPP said he has reported the development to his regional chairman and was waiting for further directions.
“ we were refused from adding our locks to the store room. No better escuse was given the political parties for the refusal. I’m sitting here with my padlock. “
Mr.Walanyo Mensah, the deputy director of the electoral Commission when contacted couldn’t give any reason for the development except to say that he was implementing directives from his bosses in Accra.
Agrieved by the development, members of the opposition NDC later in the day massed up at the regional police headquarters . They insisted staying at the headquarters to police the materials .
There was a near scuffle between the police and supporters of the NDC but Hon.Mark Owen Wayongo , the former Regional ministers of the Upper East Region and former minister of defense intervened by calling the NDC supporters to order to calm the situation.
The parties are expected back to the police headquarters today to find the an amicable solution to the problem.