Invisible Forces snatch ballot boxes at DCE poll

Vigilante group linked to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Invisible Forces allegedly stormed the venue where the Ada East DCE nominee Sarah Dugbakie Pobee was being confirmed on Friday.

The vigilante group allegedly snatched ballot boxes and molested assembly members in the presence of armed police personnel which eventually marred the election.

Ms. Pobee who failed to secure two-thirds of the votes in two previous elections was hoping to get the majority votes to assume post. Although the process was marred by the Invisible Forces, she managed to poll 27 votes, representing 77 per cent to see her through.

Sources said the vigilante groups whose members are heavily built took over the election after majority of the assembly members had taken cover at nearby offices for their safety.

“We went to exercise our franchise. The invisible Forces were there with a strong police force too. The room was tensed and the presiding member had to use his power to drive some of them away. We held the voting in the conference room.

“During the counting the people stormed the room and started beating and stomping on us and were threatening to carry the ballot boxes away. They were heavily built. The police didn’t mind us. They beat us and I was stomped upon and escaped when I had the chance,” an assemblyman who pleaded anonymity told Starr News.

He added: “The police were there and never protected us. They want to force the nominee on us. The ballot papers were not counted at the time of escaping and the presiding member was molested.”

The police managed to restore law and order after the melee.