The NDC constituency executive elections in the Ashanti Region have been hit by tension at Oforikrom and Atwima Kwanwoma following the unavailability of ballot papers for some executive positions.
Angry aspirants demanded the suspension of the elections and a rescheduling to a date when all ballot papers would be ready, insisting that proceeding with the exercise under the circumstances would be unfair to candidates contesting the affected positions.
At Oforikrom, aspiring chairman, Jackson Prah Darren alleged that the situation reflected tactics that had marred previous constituency elections, leaving delegates exhausted and frustrated.
He said similar delays during the previous election had resulted in some electoral area voting processes extending late into the night, with some delegates leaving before the exercise was completed.
“These are machinations that always exist. When we did the last four years elections, same happened. They delayed the process, but by the time it got to some electoral areas, it was 10 p.m., 12:00 a.m. Fatigue set in, people got frustrated and left,” he said.
An aspiring treasurer also accused those responsible for the electoral arrangements of deliberately delaying the process, warning that tired delegates could leave before voting was completed.
“It is a deliberate attempt to delay the process, and then delegates would be tired and say, ‘Oh, we are leaving.’ But we don’t want that thing to happen again,” the aspirant said.
The candidate called on the relevant authorities to intervene, insisting that the elections must be conducted without further delays.
The tension prompted the intervention of Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, who stepped in to calm agitated delegates and aspirants and facilitated discussions on the way forward.
Following deliberations, the parties agreed to allow voting to continue for the 13 positions with available ballot papers at Oforikrom, while elections for the Zongo Caucus and Deputy Secretary positions were deferred to another day.
However, some of the affected aspirants remained dissatisfied with the decision, arguing that they had already incurred significant expenses campaigning and mobilising delegates for the polls.
The concerns have raised questions about the preparedness of election officials and the implications of the missing ballot papers for candidates contesting the affected positions.
Meanwhile, voting proceeded smoothly in several other constituencies across the Ashanti Region, where delegates turned out to elect their preferred candidates.
The Asawase Constituency is expected to hold its elections on Sunday.
By Ibrahim Abubakar
