Confusion in Ho-East NDC over election
Tension is mounting in the Ho-East Constituency branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after the 26 October 2009 elections that elected new executives. Some of the executives claim the due process was not followed and have therefore vowed never to recognize the new executives.
In a petition signed by the Adaklu-Wumenu branch Secretary, Mr. Winfred Kwame Apaka and the Adaklu-Boso branch Secretary, Mr. Godwin Ofoe Van-Dyke and copied to the regional office of the NDC and distributed to the media in Ho, mentioned anomalies, which characterized the elections and their position that they would accept the outcome.
The petitioners explained that nomination was not opened for seven clear days for prospective contestants, but they were rather made to pick nomination forms at the District Chief Executive's office within three days.
They continued that some prospective contestants were denied the opportunity to file nominations, in spite of the directives by the party that nominations should be opened to as many eligible aspirants as possible.
According to the petitioners, what made the said election more fraudulent was that the election guidelines which stipulate that the delegates list should be made available to all contestants was not adhered to as the former Chairman and his Secretary allegedly manipulated the election to their advantage.
They said no Constituency electoral committee was formed to carry out the electoral process and that the former Constituency Chairman and his Secretary assumed that responsibility, which violates the party's rules and regulations, adding that Article 17 (2k) of the party's constitution state that eight other constituency executives should be elected alongside the functional executives, but this provision was also not followed.
According to the petitioners, the DCE for the area allegedly changed the original venue for the election without informing the other executives, noting that all these made the election undemocratic and urged the regional executives to investigate the allegations and declare the election null and void.
Meanwhile the DCE and the former Constituency Chairman for Ho East, Mr. Michael Adzaho has denied all the allegations levelled against him and the Constituency Secretary. He described it as a calculated attempt to tarnish their reputation because the allegations were fabricated.
He explained that there was no violation of the party's constitution in relation to the organization of elections, noting that nomination forms were given within the stipulated seven days and not three days, as is being alleged by the petitioners.
Mr. Adzaho continued that all eligible contestants filled the nomination forms but Mr. Bismarck Tornu did not return the forms even though he was present at what he described as “a well organized election”, which was conducted by the Electoral Commission with some regional executives who were present as observers.