Well-built men, popularly known as ?machomen? have invaded the Asutifi District Electoral Commission (EC) office in the Brong Ahafo region in an attempt to disrupt the on-going transfer of votes in the constituency.
Reports reaching DAILY GUIDE indicate that since the beginning of the exercise on October 1, the thugs, numbering over 50, have intimidated residents participating in the exercise at the EC offices.
No individual reported to the centre yesterday to either transfer votes or appoint proxy voters for the impending elections due to the heavy presence of the ?machomen? at the premises.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of hiring the services of thugs to prevent the voters in the constituency from exercising their electoral rights.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Paul Okoh, told DAILY GUIDE that he personally reported the matter to the police and asked them to take a decisive action against the thugs.
The MP, who was worried about the development, said the NPP had given the police a deadline (Wednesday) to rid the EC?s premises of the machomen, threatening that they would advise themselves if the police failed to enforce the law.
The Asutifi District Electoral Officer, Batong Braimah corroborated the story.
According to him, he held talks with the district police commander about the development and was waiting for the police to take the appropriate action to ensure a smooth exercise.
However, Mr. Braimah could not confirm that the low turnout was due to the presence of the thugs.
The Electoral Commission (EC) announced plans to hold the exercise from 1-20 October to allow voters across the country to transfer their votes or appoint proxies for this year?s general elections.
A statement signed by a Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission in charge of Operations, Kwadwo Sarfo-Kantanka said ?only voters who have resided in a new constituency for a minimum of two months are eligible to transfer their votes to that constituency.?
The statement further noted that such applicants would have to show proof of residence in the new constituency.
FROM Fred Tettey Alarti-Amoako, Sunyani
