NPP group accuses leadership for electoral misconduct

15-01-14       

Mr Akamah, leader of the group reading the press statement

A group calling itself concerned members of the New Patriotic party in the Bongo Constituency is raising red flag, challenging the credibility of the just ended polling station and constituency election held in the district and nationwide. At a press conference in Bongo, the group among other allegations accused the leadership of the party for ignoring a court injunction on the party’s constituency elections as a result of a petition by aggrieved party members against what they term as fraudulent election procedures adopted by the past constituency executives of the party. Beyond that, the group is demanding an explanation as to why there was no Electoral Commission representative to conduct and supervised the said election. The group is therefore calling on the National and Regional Executives of the party to carry out an investigation into the election in the district since due process was not followed. In a statement read and signed by the leader of the group, Richard Akamah, the group is of the conviction that party faithful in the district cannot afford to always put in their efforts yet fail to win parliamentary seat and the national elections. To this end, efforts must be made to halt any negativity that tends to override the interest of the party. The statement moreover said the party’s quest for internal democracy and the strengthening of its democratic structures were paramount, therefore there was the urgent need for the leadership of the party to intervene in the matter and provide amicable solutions to the concerns raised. It added that any activity held within the party without taking into consideration the integrity of the party, is bound to cause division and should be avoided. Meanwhile, January 17 had been fixed for the court to rule on the matter. When contacted, a stalwart of the party who declined to be mentioned said for peace to reign in the party, members should not resort to court actions unless all internal mechanisms are exhausted as per the party’s constitution. He said once the matter was in court, members should be weary of the implications as any action could attract court sanction. According to him, since the court has not come out with its final verdict, it will be pre-judicial for any individual or group of persons to represent the court in dealing with the issue. He therefore advised party members to remain calm whilst the court comes out with its judgement.

GBC                                                    END                                                          IA/