Kumasi High Court places injunction on NPP elections

Kumasi, Nov. 12, GNA - A Kumasi High Court has granted an application for injunction filed by Mr Baffour Gyimah, a polling agent, restraining the Suame Constituency of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) from holding election to pick new officers.

He is challenging the disqualification of Mr Joseph Amoah, a businessman, who filed his nomination to contest for the constituency chairman position. The party's delegates had gathered on Wednesday and invited officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) to supervise the poll, when the Court order was served.

The large numbers of NPP members and supporters looked visibly stunned and angry as Mr Gabriel Opoku, Secretary of the Vetting Committee, read the injunction.

Mr Frank Owusu Afriyie, Constituency Organizer, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi that Mr Amoah was disqualified because he is not a registered voter in the area. Evidence before the Vetting Committee, he said, showed that Mr Amoah's vote is in Oforikrom, and that is where he could put himself up as a candidate.

Mr Afriyie appealed to the party's followers in the area to remain calm and hoped it would be amicably resolved. Incumbent Chairman, Mr Badu Boahen, however, was not happy with the turn of events, describing the decision to go to Court as unfortunate. He urged party members to respect and uphold the NPP's laid down procedures to avoid unnecessary friction and litigation. 12 Nov. 09