President Akufo-Addo
In what one credible international media network, Deutsche Welle, has aptly described as a one-sided battle between a [strong] Crocodile and [weak] Alligator, incumbent President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo appeared set for victory in yesterday elections, as results trickled in from polling stations and constituencies across the length and breadth of the country.
At the time of going to press, there were clear indications that President Akufo-Addo and the NPP were doing very well even in areas, many in the Volta and Oti regions, one would not expect them to perform that way.
Also, an insignificant number of flashpoints, including Odododiodioo, Bawku Central, Awutu Senya East and West as well as Fomena had also lived to their bidding by security agencies, with incidents that highlighted, for instance, how desperate some political goons had become to the tune of decapitating voter sheets to delete President Akufo-Addo from the processes.
President Akufo-Addo, after casting his vote at Kyebi, in the Eastern Region, urged Ghanaians to exercise their right to vote in a peaceful manner.
“As I indicated in my address to the nation on Sunday, using your God-given and constitutional rights costs nothing, but staying home can come at a very steep price. So, I am entreating all eligible voters to turn out in your numbers, cast your vote, and, thereby, exercise your sovereign right to the making of government in the country,” the President said on his Facebook wall.
Voting at Bole around 10:00 am, John Mahama, the NDC presidential candidate, admitted that the processes were largely peaceful and credible, after initial complaints that his personal security had had his name missing from the voter list. But, he eventually cast his ballot.
Press conferences
The NDC, whilst voting was ongoing, held a press conference where it alleged that some EC officials in various polling stations in the Ashanti Region were directing voters to vote for NPP candidates in both the parliamentary and presidential polls.
The NDC Ashanti Regional Secretary, Kwame Zu , alleged that several EC officials in the Adansi Asokwa and other constituencies were aiding and directing voters to cast their ballot for the NPP candidate.
The NDC also alleged that the incumbent MP, KT Hammond, in the company of some thugs, scuttled the peaceful voting process and attempted to intimidate some voters.
This was followed by the NPP who also held a presser in response to the NDC.
The NPP accused the opposition NDC of whipping up tribal sentiments for electoral gains in the elections. According to the party, the NDC was resorting to mischief and lies.
Addressing the press, deputy campaign manager of the party, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, said the NDC was anticipating defeat hence their baseless accusations.
“Why are you calling on Volta Region to rescue you; nobody is going to rescue you, your campaign has flopped. Are you a Volta party, I thought you are a national party. If indeed they have discovered illegal activities, they should go to the police and report those incidents,” he said.
Effective security
From Kumasi , our correspondent, Benedicta Akplor reported that some persons from the NDC in the Asawase constituency were arrested for allegedly giving out thumb printed ballot papers to their accomplices.
The Asokore Mampong District Police Command made the arrest following a tipoff from the NPP polling agents whilst the presidential and parliamentary elections were in session.
The said thumb printed ballot papers were packaged with foods, which were allegedly to be given to their (NDC) agents.
The police at Abetifi, in the Eastern region, also arrested two voters for reporting at their polling stations drunk.
According to the police, their presence at the polling station would only cause “confusion” as they were not in “sound mind”
The District Police Commander, DSP Yaw Dankwa-Agyekum, in an interview with the media, said they would be given food and water at the police station to ensure they were sober to enable them to partake in the electoral process
“It is just 12 noon, and they were in a drunken stupor, so what at all are they going to do? All they will do is cause confusion, so we have taken them to the police station; when they sober up we will give them food and water and allow them to go, hopefully, the electioneering process will be over by then,” he said.
International observers, including credible organisations like the CODEO, have described the elections as largely peaceful, transparent, credible and fair, despite incidents of violence in known flashpoints that cut across political colours.
Rains
There were reports of heavy rains across the country, but that did not affect the process because other mitigating arrangements were put in place where needed.
At the Koforidua Nursing Training College, for instance, the rains compelled the electoral officers to relocate from their original places of set up into a hall.
Fortunately, only about five voters were present to cast their votes and that did not put any pressure on the EC officers.
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