NDC Wins Jirapa

NDC Flag Early results from yesterday's by-election at Jirapa in the Upper West Region indicate that the National Democratic Congress candidate, Dr. Francis Dakura Bawaana has taken a commanding lead over his main rival from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justine Bayeleh Dakora.

There was however a huge controversy as some ballot papers in the 105 polling stations in the Jirapa Constituency were alleged to have been thumb-printed in favour of the candidate of the NDC before voting started in the lackluster by-election.

The shocking discovery ignited loud protests from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) who threatened to reject the outcome of the results if the thumb-printed ballots were not immediately withdrawn.

DAILY GUIDE  investigations were confirmed by the Jirapa District Electoral Officer, Jackson Annoh, who revealed that some distributed ballot papers did bear thumbprints.

A careful look at one of such ballot papers, DAILY GUIDE discovered, looked exactly like a thumb on the space for the NDC candidate, sparking controversy among both parties in the constituency.

Annoh, in his attempt to calm down the aggrieved party, promised to educate all Presiding Officers (POs) in the 105 polling stations about the problem to avoid any misunderstanding during counting.

It was however not clear how he would reach all of them, as most were out of the coverage area of all telecommunication networks for the most part of the day. 

Nana Ohene Ntow disclosed to DAILY GUIDE that party agents at all polling stations would be informed to mount some vigilance during counting.

As at press time, there was a low turnout at all centres visited by the paper, prompting several measures including the routine announcement by Information Service Van with registration number GV 385 Y, urging persons to come out and vote.

Sources however revealed that the same van at other instances in some locations within the constituency was appealing to people to come out to vote for the NDC.

As this was in sharp contravention of the Electoral Commission's regulations, the NPP once again registered a protest with the EC.

All attempts to talk to executives of the NDC on the alleged irregularities proved futile.

The Upper West regional Police Commander, DCOP Kwesi Appiah Boateng told DAILY GUIDE that the security situation was manageable and warned against any rowdy conduct by party supporters or officials.

According to him, the Regional Police Command had adequately prepared for the Jirapa by-election and he praised voters for the manner in which they comported themselves throughout the process.

Meanwhile, a bus with registration number ER 982 X loaded with heavily built thugs believed to be 'Macho Men' for a particular party, was seen in Jirapa during the early hours of voting.  

The Jirapa by-election was held following the death of the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Edward Kojo Salia, who represented the constituency in Parliament for three terms.Representatives from the NDC, NPP and DPP filed to contest the seat. 

The contestants were Justine Bayeleh Dakora, former District Chief Executive (DCE) and NPP parliamentary candidate for the2008 election; Francis Dakora Bawaana, a London based doctor in anthropology and lecturer, for NDC; and Madam Angsiegma Jocelyn, a pupil teacher, for Ward Brew's Democratic People's Party (DPP).

Political activities in the constituency moved to a higher level a couple of days ago following the heated campaigns upon the arrival of party stalwarts.

From Stephen Zoure, Jirapa