The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Nana Akwasi Andrews has accused the security personnel present at the registration centres of intimidating potential voters in the NDC’s strongholds in the Ashanti Region.
In an interview with Kwame Afrifa Mensah on the ‘Epa Hoa Daben’ Show, he disclosed that the Member of Parliament for Ejura in the Ashanti Region has been hospitalized as a result of the violence meted out by the security personnel. “Information reaching me is that people have attacked the MP for Ejura and as I speak now he is currently at the hospital.
In the beginning, the registration was going on well but there is heavy security presence at the NDC stronghold to intimidate our people in registering. We spoke about it and that occurrence lessened. Now that we have begun with the second phase, and information has it that the MP has been attacked, it means that we need to be careful”.
Nana Akwasi noted that the President must either come to their aid or allow them to seek their own protection.
“In the first week of registration, areas like Bantama, Ejisu etc. had only one security personnel but in other areas like Ejura, Drobonso, etc. had heavy security personnel made up of SWAT team, the police and soldiers to intimidate our people. We are pleading with Nana Addo that if he cannot protect us he should let us know we will protect ourselves”, he added.
Despite the heavy protests by some political parties, the Electoral Commission has been able to start the new voters’ registration ahead of the December 7 General elections. However, in the few days of the registration, the NDC is crying foul by stating that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) is intimidating potential voters with security persons in the NDC strongholds with the goal of disenfranchising NDC supporters.