Three men, including a former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bantama Constituency Organiser, have been arrested following a violent disruption of the party’s constituency executive elections at the Bantama Cultural Centre in Kumasi on July 11.
The arrested persons have been identified by delegates as Shaibu Bamba, a former Bantama NPP Constituency Organiser, Abu, the Atowato Polling Station Organiser, and another individual whose identity has not yet been confirmed by the police.
The election was reportedly held despite an alleged court injunction obtained by some constituency executives seeking to halt the process.
According to eyewitnesses, voting was underway at about 9:32 a.m. when the three men allegedly stormed the venue, destroyed election materials and disrupted the exercise, causing panic among delegates and party officials.
One person sustained injuries during the incident and received medical attention.
Personnel from the Ashanti Regional Police Command, who had been deployed to provide security, intervened and arrested the three suspects. They are currently in police custody to assist with investigations.
Meanwhile, delegates and other persons monitoring the election claimed that individuals supervising the electoral process were not officials of the Electoral Commission (EC). They alleged that the party had constituted its own monitoring team to oversee the election.
The Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Arthur Osei Akoto, visited the venue to assess the security situation.
Speaking to Akoma News, several delegates expressed disappointment over the events, describing the violence and confusion as unfortunate and calling on the party leadership to ensure transparency, peace and respect for the rule of law in its internal electoral processes.
Police investigations into the disturbance are ongoing.
By Evans Nkum
