The chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for Bosome Freho, Patrick Kwaku Frimpong, was arrested by the Ghana Police Service after tearing a ballot paper at the party’s National Delegates Conference in the Ashanti Region. The incident followed complications with the electronic voting system involving a delegate from his constituency.
The trouble began when a delegate was unable to cast a vote electronically during Saturday’s election. Earlier that day, Dr Francis Adomako, the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NPP, had written to the Bosome Freho constituency barring the delegate from participating in the vote. Despite this, the Electoral Commission stepped in to issue a paper ballot to the individual after the electronic system malfunctioned.
Mr Frimpong allegedly took the ballot paper from the delegate and tore it apart. This action prompted the police to detain him for questioning. Details about the specific charges or the outcome of the police inquiry have not been released.
The NPP’s National Delegates Conference is a critical event in the party’s calendar, determining leadership and strategy for upcoming elections. The Ashanti Region, a stronghold of the party, has been a focal point during these gatherings. The disruption at Bosome Freho adds an unusual moment to the proceedings.
Attempts to reach Mr Frimpong or the Electoral Commission for comment were unsuccessful. The NPP has not issued an official statement regarding the arrest or the torn ballot incident.
The event raises questions about the handling of electronic voting glitches and the enforcement of delegate participation rules within party processes. Whether there will be further disciplinary measures against the Bosome Freho chairman remains unclear.
According to Joy Online.
