Accra, Dec. 23, GNA - The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Delegates Congress at the University of Ghana was thrown into confusion for over an hour following allegations of vote buying.
Mr Lord Enoch Commey, National Organiser of the party, picked the microphone from the Electoral Commission officials and shouted that the voting rules have been breached by an aspirant, whose agents were seen engaging in vote buying at the congress grounds.
The National Organiser alleged that Mr Paul Afoko, a known follower and supporter of Mr Alan Kyerematen, was distributing dollar bills to influence delegates in their voting.
Mr Commey said immediately he alerted the Police to arrest Mr Afoko but the police ignored him hence his resort to use the main platform to call for cessation of the voting. His allegation was retorted to by Mr O. B. Amoah, Deputy Minister for Education, who is also a delegate, who challenged Mr Commey to use the proper procedure for reporting breaches, which stipulated that he should have lodged a complaint with the Electoral Officers. Other party delegates and officials criticised Mr Commey for the manner in which he sought redress to his allegation, especially being a National Executive Member. They called for an apology from him to the party.Mr Commey, however, told journalists that he was not sorry for what he did and that given the chance he would do it again, saying what he did save the day and upheld the party's democratic principles. He explained that immediately the Electoral Commission took over the voting process at the congress, he lost his position as congress official and assumed his delegate status, so he acted in his capacity as a delegate.
"The people who are criticising me do not come from the background I come from and they did not attend the school I attended, we only met in this party so they may have acted differently but this is me and I was not wrong.
"In fact I have received several congratulatory text messages from party leaders for taking that bold step to save the day," he said amidst cheers from his supporters.
Mr Afoko, who is also a delegate to the congress, however, denied the allegation but was escorted out of the precincts of the congress grounds by heavily armed security personnel. He was saved from being physically attacked by the police who used tear gas to control the crowd.
The Police also escorted out of the congress premises a cameraman, who took pictures of scenes during the confusion and took his camera from him.
Police officers also manhandled a TV3 Cameraman, who took shots of the ensuing confusion and seized his camera, while party delegates accused journalists, who gave live commentary of what was happening of coming from the camp of the National Democratic Congress. Mr Peter Mac Manu, NPP National Chairman, described Mr Commey's behaviour as unfortunate but assured the delegates that the allegations would be investigated and appropriate action taken in the interest of the party. 23 Dec. 07
Accra, Dec. 23, GNA - The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Delegates Congress at the University of Ghana was thrown into confusion for over an hour following allegations of vote buying.
Mr Lord Enoch Commey, National Organiser of the party, picked the microphone from the Electoral Commission officials and shouted that the voting rules have been breached by an aspirant, whose agents were seen engaging in vote buying at the congress grounds.
The National Organiser alleged that Mr Paul Afoko, a known follower and supporter of Mr Alan Kyerematen, was distributing dollar bills to influence delegates in their voting.
Mr Commey said immediately he alerted the Police to arrest Mr Afoko but the police ignored him hence his resort to use the main platform to call for cessation of the voting. His allegation was retorted to by Mr O. B. Amoah, Deputy Minister for Education, who is also a delegate, who challenged Mr Commey to use the proper procedure for reporting breaches, which stipulated that he should have lodged a complaint with the Electoral Officers. Other party delegates and officials criticised Mr Commey for the manner in which he sought redress to his allegation, especially being a National Executive Member. They called for an apology from him to the party.Mr Commey, however, told journalists that he was not sorry for what he did and that given the chance he would do it again, saying what he did save the day and upheld the party's democratic principles. He explained that immediately the Electoral Commission took over the voting process at the congress, he lost his position as congress official and assumed his delegate status, so he acted in his capacity as a delegate.
"The people who are criticising me do not come from the background I come from and they did not attend the school I attended, we only met in this party so they may have acted differently but this is me and I was not wrong.
"In fact I have received several congratulatory text messages from party leaders for taking that bold step to save the day," he said amidst cheers from his supporters.
Mr Afoko, who is also a delegate to the congress, however, denied the allegation but was escorted out of the precincts of the congress grounds by heavily armed security personnel. He was saved from being physically attacked by the police who used tear gas to control the crowd.
The Police also escorted out of the congress premises a cameraman, who took pictures of scenes during the confusion and took his camera from him.
Police officers also manhandled a TV3 Cameraman, who took shots of the ensuing confusion and seized his camera, while party delegates accused journalists, who gave live commentary of what was happening of coming from the camp of the National Democratic Congress. Mr Peter Mac Manu, NPP National Chairman, described Mr Commey's behaviour as unfortunate but assured the delegates that the allegations would be investigated and appropriate action taken in the interest of the party. 23 Dec. 07
