Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, the Inspector General of Police, has been commended for a yeoman’s job at the just ended by-election in Kumawu.
The violent-free poll, which is one amongst many by-elections according to Security and Safety analyst, Dr. Adam Bonaa, is as a result of the professionalism exhibited by the police in the process.
He tells Captain Smart in a post election analysis on Onua TV/FM the IGP’s ‘relocation of the police headquarters to Kumawu’ did the magic.
However, Dr. Bonaa believes the stakes are high for both parties in the upcoming Assin North by-election compared to the one in Kumawu which is a stronghold of the NPP.
“This has been the most peaceful by-election since 1992. With by-elections, usually before 12pm, someone would have received 5 slaps.
“Kumawu is not a swing seat unlike Assin North where both parties have won before. If the guy (James Gyakye Quayson) is able to stand, it will be very difficult for someone to defeat him,” he indicated.
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He also said the Assin North event is going to be a test case for the IGP.
“Even at the safest place for the NPP, they deployed their big men as polling agents so that makes the stakes in Assin North higher than that of Kumawu and that’s going to be a test case for the IGP,” he added.
Meanwhile, the security analyst insisted the Kumawu by-election was peaceful compared to that of Ayawaso West Wuogon, Talensi, Atiwa and others because the IGP and his men were up to task.
He refuted claims that the peaceful environment might have resulted from the low turnout which was a reflection of how disinterested the constituents were in the polls.
“The government could have done better and the hardship in the economy could have contributed to the low voter turnout. If the things done in Kumawu (few days to the by-election) had been done a year ago, the turnout would have been massive.
“The people were angry. They won’t come and vote for opposition or their party. But even if the turnout had been high, the violence would not have come. They weren’t happy and that caused the low turnout.
“The NPP should take a cue from Kumawu that if the people fail to come and vote in your stronghold, then it’s a problem. The ruling government has not done what is expected and the people were not happy. Even if 2,000 people went to vote, there would have been violent if the police hadn’t put measures in place,” he explained.
READ ALSO: Kumawu by-election: The Ghanaian voter is not maturing – Adam Bonaa
Kumawu went on a by-election following the demise of their MP, Philip Attah Basoah whilst the Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, has been stripped off his status by the Supreme Court on a dual citizenship case.
