Rashid Sofo Tanko-Computer, the Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the NDC, has said the party has full confidence in the state security ahead of the Akwatia by-election.
According to Rashid Sofo Tanko-Computer, the NDC is satisfied with the security briefing it received from the police.
He added that the NDC has no plans to deploy its own protections.
Speaking in an interview on the Channel One Newsroom, Tanko-Computer stated, “We have full confidence in the state security. We were with them at the Kumawu by-election, we were with them at the Assin North by-election, and we saw what happened at Ablekuma North.
“We are satisfied with the briefing that the security gave us today. The setup they put out there clearly shows that they want to protect lives and property at Akwatia.”
He added, “My brothers and sisters in the NPP must be clear to themselves — it takes two to tango. When you have a predetermined mind that ‘I am coming to do so and so,’ then expect a reprisal from your action.”
However, Henry Nana Boakye, the National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), also known as Nana B, has revealed the NPP will protect itself in the upcoming Akwatia by-election on Tuesday, September 2.
Nana B noted that the NPP party’s supporters being attacked during the Ablekuma North have made it necessary for the party to put its security measures in place.
Speaking on the Citi Eyewitness News on Tuesday, August 19, Nana B stated, “We have said that it is important that we protect ourselves. Self-protection is well defined within the remit of the law. We are not going to deploy any thugs. We are not going to deploy any vigilantes. No, but what we have said is that we are going to protect ourselves. I am not sure that is a crime.
“We will protect ourselves. All that we are saying is that the protection will not be unlawful. The protection will not infringe on any laws whatsoever. It will not be an act of illegality,” he stated.
Also, Salam Mustapha, the National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party, has alleged that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) are likely to bring thugs to the Akwatia by-election.
Salam Mustapha doubt the NDC’s ability to contest the Akwatia by-election in a fair and transparent manner.
Speaking in an interview on the Channel One Newsroom, Salam Mustapha stated, “When we were going to Ablekuma North, there were remarks from NDC people that they are going to retaliate for what happened in Ayawaso West-Wuogon and so on.
There were such remarks made by NDC people, and it happened. And I can tell you, knowing the NDC, they are very dishonest. We cannot trust them when they say they are not going to bing people there. You go there and the ‘azoka’ boys will be there. I know these people. We have worked over the period, and I can tell you that the NDC will bring thugs,” he stated.
He further added that the NPP is, however, committed to cooperating with the Ghana Police Service during the by-election.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission has announced that the printing of ballot papers for the upcoming Akwatia parliamentary by-election will begin today, Wednesday, August 20.
Benjamin Bano-Bioh, the Commission’s Director of Electoral Services, speaking to journalists, stated, “As of now, we are going to start the printing of ballots from tomorrow”.
“Procurement has already been done. We have procured all the materials required for the election, so we are already”, he added.
He made this announcement after the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) assembled a crucial meeting today with representatives of political parties.
The meeting was to discuss preventive measures against election-related violence and key security arrangements for the upcoming poll.