Ayawaso West by-elections was peaceful, smooth and orderly – EC

By:brightwebtv.com/bright Agyapong
The Electoral Commission (EC), has discounted suggestions that the January 31 by-election in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency was marred by violence.

The EC maintains that the poll was conducted in a peaceful manner.
Some National Security Operatives allegedly fired gunshots at a polling centre at La Bawaleshie, injuring about six persons believed to be NDC supporters during the election on Thursday.

The NDC subsequently opted out of the race claiming they took the decision to forestall further attacks on their members.
The two main political parties; the  NDC and the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) traded accusations in the aftermath of the incident, saying the other party orchestrated the tensions which marred the electio
The violence that characterized the by-election has been widely condemned by civil society organisations including CODEO, UNDP among others.
But speaking at a media briefing, the Chairperson of the Commission, Jean Adukwei Mensa, said the disturbances happened outside the polling stations and cannot be linked to the Electoral Commission.

“The Commission put in place, adequate and efficient security measures to maintain law and order at all polling stations. At the end of the by-election at the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency, the Electoral Commission is pleased to announce that the conduct of the polls in all 137 polling stations was peaceful, smooth and orderly.”

“The Electoral Commission staff as well as the security agencies at the polling stations conducted themselves in an orderly and professional manner”, the EC chair insists.
Ayawaso West Wuogon violence regrettable; culprits won’t be spared – Nana Addo
However, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has described as regrettable the violence that rocked the just ended by-election at Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency in Accra.
The president condemned it completely in a statement, and said it was unfortunate.

“The isolated incident of violence, which occurred in the early stages of the election, was unfortunate and regrettable, and I condemn it in no uncertain terms,” he added.
No one can beat us in unleashing violence – Mahama warns NPP
National Democratic Congress (NDC) Flagbearer hopeful, John Mahama, has responded to the eruption of violence during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election with a reminder of the NDC’s own capacity for violence.
The former President said his party was prepared to advise itself after one person was shot and others injured during some confusion at the La Bawaleshie Presby School polling centre.
Mr. Mahama said: “the NPP is taking this power as a matter of life and death.”
Out of respect for the constitution, he said the NDC had been acting docile but is ready to revolt if the perceived intimidation from the government continues.
“We respect the constitution of this country and NDC is a democratic country and that is why we abide by the rules of the constitution. But the same constitution says that Ghanaians should resist anybody who attempts to subvert the constitution and when you go rampaging with forces and intimidating people when they come out and vote, you are subverting Ghana’s constitution and we have the right to resist you.”
NPP’s Lydia Alhassan wins controversial Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election by landslide
The New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary candidate for the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, eventually won the by-election by a landslide victory.
She won the poll by 12, 041 votes representing 68.30% with the closest contender, Delali Kwasi Brempong, the National Democratic Congress’ candidate polling 5, 341 votes representing 30.52%.
William Dowokpor of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) and Clement Boadi of the Liberal Party of Ghana both managed a paltry 102 and 17 votes respectively.
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By: citinewsroom.com |Ghana