The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) calls for the prosecution of an Electoral Commission (EC) officer arrested in Kintampo South for alleged electoral misconduct.
The NDC dismissed the NPP’s demands as baseless, accusing them of using the situation as a diversionary tactic to incite tension and distract from the ongoing election process.
The controversy revolves around the arrest of Joseph Dery, an EC officer, who is accused of issuing ballot papers that omitted the photo of the first presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
This alleged misconduct sparked outrage among NPP supporters, who viewed it as a deliberate attempt to manipulate the election outcome.
According to the police, Dery was apprehended after party agents and vigilant polling station officials identified irregularities in the ballot papers.
The incident was promptly reported, leading to his arrest and the confiscation of the suspect ballot materials.
At a press conference, Denis Miracles Aboagye, spokesperson for the Dr. Bawumia campaign, demanded the immediate prosecution of Joseph Dery. The NPP accused the EC officer of attempting to disenfranchise voters and undermine the integrity of the democratic process.
In response, the NDC firmly rejected the NPP’s allegations. National Communications Officer Sammy Gyamfi, speaking at a press conference, accused the NPP of using the incident to divert attention from their anticipated electoral defeat.
Mr. Gyamfi insisted that the alleged misconduct was the responsibility of the Electoral Commission, not the NDC.
He further argued that the NPP’s focus should be on ensuring transparency through legal means, rather than spreading unfounded accusations against political opponents.
“The NPP is resorting to frivolous allegations because they sense defeat, and they are using such tactics to incite violence and manipulate the election process,” Gyamfi stated.
He emphasized, “This was not the NDC’s doing but an action by an Electoral Commission officer. If anyone is to blame, it should be the EC, not the NDC.”
Source: Adomonline.com
