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12.04.2012 Elections

Nana Akufo Addo's Machomen Disrupting Registration In Kyebi

12.04.2012 LISTEN
By Dailypost News

From Kyn Aidoo, Kyebi

Electoral officers and Security personnel observing the ongoing biometric registration in Kyebi in the Abuakwa South constituency of the Eastern Region are finding it difficult to handle macho men believed to have been brought into the town by the NPP flag-bearer, Nana Akufo-Addo to ensure that he wins at the center he registers in the upcoming general election.

These macho men who are based in Nana Akufo Addo's family house in Kyebi are keenly monitoring the ongoing biometric registrations especially at the Rock of Ages registration center which happen to be close to the family residence. They are on the look out for non Akyems and Akyems perceived to be supporters of the NDC or are likely to vote against Nana Akufo Addo in the general elections.

Security Officers in the East Akim Municipality reveal Kyebi is one the few areas which has reported more casualties in the biometric registration and added they are finding it difficult to deal with the situation because support from people in the area has been minimal.

A Registration Officer at the Rock of Ages Registration Center reveals the machomen have been there on several occasions to look out for non-Twi speaking people in queues to prevent them from registering.

The Agent added that non-Twi speaking people who come to the center to register always leave the queues in fright because these macho men usually come out of their base to monitor the registration process anytime people raise their voices at the center.

“They were here on the first day of the registration to stop one of the party agents from observing the biometric registration because some NPP women said they didn't know him in the area. They have since been coming here anytime there is little misunderstanding,” the Registration Officer narrated.

A Security Officer who confirmed receiving reports of harassment by these NPP macho men at some Registration Centers in the Kyebi community added that a Police Officer has been stationed at the Rock of Ages Registration Center which has been flagged as trouble spot because of the numerous complaints they have received from there.

He said that discussions with the Electoral Officers and Party Executives in the area to relocate the registration Center have not yielded any results because of disagreement among political party leaders.

“An officer was sent there after the first incidence and he has since been there and he reports that these guys have been coming there so we are taking steps to flush them out again”, the security officer said.

He noted that similar incidences of macho men from the NPP flag bearer's family house were reported during the 2008 general elections at the same polling station and security officers were quickly sent there to flush them out.

Family friends of Nana Akufo Addo in Kyebi who spoke on the issue said the macho men are always brought to his family house to ensure the NPP flagbearer wins at the Rock of Ages Polling center at all cost because it also happens to be where he casts his votes.

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