We'll cause citizen arrest of Charles Opoku if he dare smuggle himself into Assin North to contest by-election — Group warns

In light of the upcoming by-election in the Assin North constituency, youth activists have issued a stern warning to Charles Opoku, a registered voter from the Tarkwa Nsuame constituency in the Western Region, attempting to contest the parliamentary race.

According to the group, Regulation 22 of the Public Elections Regulations 2020 (C.I 127) states that voter transfers can only occur for ordinary citizens at least 42 days before a public election.

Bright Botchway, the former Deputy Regional Youth Organizer of the NDC who was in charge of operations together with other concerned youths, have emphasized their determination to take action if necessary.

They assert that should Charles Opoku attempt to smuggle himself into Assin North to participate in the by-election as a candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), they will mobilize and conduct a serious demonstration, apprehend him and hand him over to the police.

Mr Botchway indicated that the youth of Assin North and the Central Region will not sit idly by and allow Charles Opoku aided by the Electoral Commission (EC) to perpetuate fraud. They added that they are ready to rise against any perceived violation of the electoral regulations and the integrity of the by-election.

By invoking Section 13 of Act 29 of the Criminal and Other Offenses Act of 1960, he added that they intend to exercise their rights to effect a citizen's arrest, should the circumstances warrant it.

They emphasize the importance of peaceful protest and the reliance on authorized law enforcement agencies to handle the matter as criminal.