Police ready for Chereponi bye-election

Doris Seidu Asibi, was buried on Monday, August 10, 2009

The Northern Regional police command says it has prepared adequately for the Chereponi bye-election and warned those who intend to foment troubles to back-off.

Three military contingents have already been dispatched to the area to beef up the existing security, reports Joy News correspondent Mahama Shaibu.

The Chereponi parliamentary seat became vacant following the death of the Member of Parliament Doris Asibi Seidu in August.

The Electoral Commission has fixed September 29 for the bye-election. It is expected to be a straight fight between the two leading political parties in Ghana – New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress.

ACP Angwubutoge Awuni, the regional police commander, held meetings with police personnel and political parties on Thursday to brief them on the preparation for the bye-election.

He registered his unhappiness with the conduct of the parties so far in responding to security concerns.

He announced that about 1000 police officers would be deployed throughout the constituency to ensure a peaceful election.

He warned the parties against bringing thugs into the constituency to cause confusion.

Our correspondent says: “He stated categorically that if you are not a journalist, an election observer, a party executive of any of the contesting parties and a voter in the constituency, you are not welcome in the constituency; and whoever goes against those rules would be dealt with drastically by the police.”

Meanwhile leadership of NDC and NPP have promised to ensure that the bye-election is observed without any mayhem.

By the close of nomination on Wednesday four parties and one independent candidate have filed to contest the bye-election.

The four contesting parties are the National Democratic Congress, Samuel Jabanyite; the New Patriotic Party, Abubakari Aminu; the People's National Convention, Rebecca Namana Jabari ; and the New Vision Party, Issah Yaw . The independent candidate is Tamado Kofis.

Story by Isaac Essel
Myjoyonline.com/Ghana