The much-anticipated parliamentary primary rerun of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Walewale constituency has once again ended in controversy, as the election concluded inconclusively after police seized ballot boxes.
Voting, which had already been delayed for several hours in the morning, wrapped up around 5 p.m. However, the sorting process was abruptly interrupted when the police removed the ballot boxes from the polling station. This marks the second time the Walewale primary has faced disruption.
Sporadic disturbances marred the day, with reports of military personnel assaulting individuals at the voting center. Tensions had been high after concerns were raised by Dr. Mahama Tia Kabiru and his team over the lack of official communication regarding the election arrangements. Adding to the confusion, sorting and counting, which were expected to be done openly, took place behind closed doors inside a church room.
The chairman of the election committee later revealed that an unidentified individual disrupted the sorting process, leading to their arrest.
Dr. Kabiru, one of the key contenders, expressed disappointment with the handling of the election, criticizing the NPP’s democratic process. His supporter, constituency chairman Mohammed Muniru Janda, stated that Dr. Kabiru appeared to be leading during the sorting process before the disruption occurred.
The sudden removal of the ballots has sparked concerns about the security of the votes. Janda emphasized that without transparency, the fairness of the rerun was in question. Tensions remain high, with uncertainty looming over the NPP’s ability to field a candidate, giving the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) a potential advantage in the upcoming general elections.
Background
The rerun follows a High Court ruling in Tamale, which nullified the earlier parliamentary primary held in Walewale. Dr. Kabiru, a 35-year-old PhD holder and special advisor to the Vice President, had initially won the primary in January, defeating the incumbent MP, Hajia Lariba Zuweratu, by a narrow margin of 345 to 338 votes. However, Hajia Lariba contested the results, citing electoral irregularities, leading to a legal battle that culminated in the court’s decision to annul the election and order a rerun.
With the situation still unresolved, the NPP risks internal divisions that could affect its chances in the Walewale constituency ahead of the 2024 general elections. Party members have called on NPP leaders, including Presidential Candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to intervene and prevent further harm to the party’s prospects.
As the political climate in Walewale remains tense, all eyes are on the NPP to restore order and clarity in the coming days.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Emmanuel Mensah
