Investigate allegations at Ablekuma Central bye-election

Jasikan (V/R) Nov. 27, GNA - President Jerry Rawlings on Saturday asked for thorough investigations into allegations by Alhaji Issaka Inusah, a former member of the New Patriotic Party, that the NPP rigged the Ablekuma Central bye-elections.

He said such acts had gone on for some time and must be halted to bring legitimacy and respect to the electoral process. President Rawlings said this when he addressed a Volta Regional NDC rally at Jasikan. He said all those involved must be arrested and made to face the law for the whole truth to be known. He however, regretted that cases delay unduly in the courts and justice is often not achieved.

President Rawlings charged the courts not to make mockery of the country's judicial system, but to ensure that those who infringe on others' rights are made to face the full rigours of the law. He referred to the case where a 35-year old man subjected his 90 year old father to inhuman treatment, and fined "just 400,000 cedis", saying "this must not be allowed".

Last week Alhaji Inusah, now with the NDC, caused a stir when he alleged that the NPP rigged the Ablekuma Central bye-elections by carrying people from Awoshie, in Ablekuma North, to vote in Ablekuma Central.

Alhaji Inusah who spoke at the Jasikan rally, said even though he was in the party, "I never took part in the plot to rig the elections."

"They came to me to do the dirty work of seeing to the bailing of the boys after they had been arrested and taken to the central police station," Alhaji Inusah said. "Mr Samuel Odoi-Sykes and Kwamena Bartels, NPP Chairman and MP were those who came to tell me to help them bail the boys."

He said he (Alhaji Inusah), only wanted the NPP leadership to shut-up and stop peddling lies about the NDC hence his disclosure.

"I did not want to cause anybody pain. But now that they want my blood and have asked for my arrest, I will ensure that they are all arrested and put behind bars," Alhaji Inusah said. "I am afraid I will imprison them."