The Ashanti NPP Caucus in Parliament has placed the blame for any potential security breaches during today’s Council of State election re-run, scheduled for February 17, 2025, on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Regional Security Council (REGSEC).
This comes after their proposal to move the election venue to the Regional Police Headquarters was rejected.
The group believes that security at the current venue, the Regional Coordinating Council, is compromised, especially after the first election was disrupted by thugs.
Spokesperson and Old Tafo MP, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, stated, “We will hold the current leadership, specifically the IGP and the Chairman of REGSEC, fully accountable for any further disruptions if they do not change the venue.”
The counting of votes in last week’s Council of State election in the Ashanti Region was halted after thugs attacked the Electoral Commission staff, scattering ballot papers and other materials. Following this, the Electoral Commission ordered a re-run.
The Ashanti NPP Caucus has called for enhanced security during the re-run. MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah emphasized that moving the election to the police headquarters would ensure maximum protection.
He added, “We signalled that the election can’t be held at the same venue. We wanted it to be pushed to the Central Police Station because there, you will have all the men in uniform to protect the integrity of the election.”
The caucus also cautioned against any attempt to infiltrate the electoral process by sneaking unauthorized individuals into the electoral college.
Assafuah further raised concerns about attempts to manipulate the electoral roll, stating, “We have gathered intelligence that certain Assemblies are heated with factions attempting to alter their representatives on the Electoral roll. Reports also indicate that Coordinating Directors have been instructed to swear in appointed assembly members to register them as eligible voters.”
He clarified that while the President has the prerogative to appoint government officials to the Assemblies, it is not within the jurisdiction of Coordinating Directors to appoint individuals and grant them eligibility to vote in the Council of State elections.
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