Election Violence at Wulensi

Supporters of NDC and NPP hurl stones at each other
Wulensi (N/R), March 4, GNA - Just as everyone was waiting expectantly for the votes in the Wulensi byelections to be counted in a section of the town, supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) suddenly engaged in stone throwing at each other.

This happened barely 30 minutes to the end of the voting at 1700 hours.

People, who had gathered around the market place in small groups waiting for the counting of the votes had to run helter-skelter to avoid being hit by flying stones.

The timely intervention of military personnel deployed in the town prevented the incident from degenerating into violence.

It was not immediately known how the incident started but both sides blamed each other for starting the stone throwing.

Meanwhile voting has officially closed and counting of ballot papers is in progress.

Five political parties and two independent candidates contested the Wulensi by-election.

They were the NPP, NDC, DPP, PNC and EGLE.

Alhaji Musah Ziblim, a businessman and Mr Peter Ogah are the independent candidates.

The Wulensi Parliamentary seat became vacant when a Tamale High Court disqualified Samuel Nyimakan, NDC Member of Parliament for the constituency.