Amidst tensions at a voter registration center in Adu
Gyama, Ashanti region, two individuals have been injured in clashes between
rival parties.
According to an eyewitness, two ladies were allegedly
brought to the center for registration by an agent of the governing New
Patriotic Party (NPP).
The conflict erupted when some political party agents
and some residents who were present at the center declined their registration, claiming
they were not residents of the area.
Despite an
initial attempt to resolve the issue peacefully, armed individuals intervened,
sparking a violent confrontation resulting in injuries.
The armed group forcefully entered the center,
brandishing clubs, machetes, and other weapons, in an attempt to pressure the
EC officials into permitting the registration of the students.
However, political party agents and other residents opposed their efforts,
resulting in a physical altercation that caused injuries to two individuals'
necks and arms.
The injured parties are currently receiving medical
treatment at St. Mankraso Hospital, while the Electoral Commission (EC) works
to address the situation and ensure the safety of all involved.
This incident
has prompted concerns about the security and integrity of the voter
registration process, especially as the EC prepares to commence a nationwide
voter registration exercise.
The ongoing voters registration exercise, began on
Tuesday, May 7, 2024, with the aim of enrolling approximately 623,000 new
voters across the country.
According
to Madam Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the EC, the exercise will run for 21 days
until May 27, 2024, at 268 district offices nationwide. The 21-day exercise
7:00 AM and concluded at 6:00 PM each day throughout the scheduled duration.
Additionally, mobile registration teams will be
deployed to 785 polling stations and 25 public universities to reach voters in
remote areas.
Addressing the press, Madam Mensa assured the public
that all necessary logistical arrangements had been made to ensure a smooth
registration process.
She emphasized
the importance of the exercise in facilitating democratic participation,
particularly for those who were unable to register during the previous cycle in
September 2023.
The EC has trained and deployed over 3,000 electoral
officers to oversee the ongoing registration process, including mobile teams
tasked with reaching voters in hard-to-access areas.
Movement plans
for these teams have been published on the EC's website and shared with
political parties to facilitate monitoring and access.
However, concerns remain about the potential for
further conflicts during the registration period, especially in areas where
tensions are high.
The recent
violence at the registration center in Adu Gyama underscores the need for
robust security measures and effective conflict resolution mechanisms to
safeguard the electoral process.
No comments:
Post a Comment