Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election: CODEO unhappy with masked security officers

The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has condemned the presence of heavy security as well as masked security officers at polling centres at the ongoing Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election.

Albert Arhin, the National Coordinator of the Coalition, said the presence of the security officers has so far created a voter apathy where people are frightened to come out and vote.

“When you have heavy security with regards to election, you will put fear and intimidation into people. Already, the attendance is not too encouraging so when we have heavy security added to that, the voter apathy becomes too obvious,” he said.

He told Emefa Apawu on Joy FM’s Midday News that the Coalition is not happy with people wearing masks going around the polling stations.

“This is not good for elections. What are security officers who are supposed to monitor elections going around in masks?” he questioned.

His comment follows reports of chaos at Bawalashie in the Ayawaso West Wuogon on Thursday morning during the by-election where some persons were shots and injured.

Just hours after voting started, some armed men clothed in National Security apparel stormed the La Bawalashie Presby polling station.

According to eyewitnesses the armed men fired shots and attacked some agents believed to be opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) agents.

The men the eyewitnesses said they also stormed the home of the NDC candidate, Delali Kwesi Brempong.