Kumawu - mid term test for NPP

The Electoral Commission (EC) has said all is set for next week's Kumawu by-election in all the ninety-two polling stations.

"The EC is on course. Voting would come on, on Tuesday," the Director of Public Affairs of the Commission, Mr. Henry Okyne told the ADM yesterday in an interview. "The only problem we are facing," he said, "is that some areas at the Afram Plains which consist of thirty-five polling stations are very difficult to reach." However, he said, the Electoral Commission has been able to hire some tractors to convey electoral material and staff to such areas to ensure that the elections come on.

"There are certain areas you cannot use four-wheel drives but we are working round to make sure to move our staff and logistics there," he explained.

The entire electoral population of the Kumawu constituency is approximately 40,000. At the NPP headquarters yesterday, there was much optimism that the party would retain the seat. That would be the second by-election since Election 2000. The first one was the Bimbilla by-election, which the NPP won. The seat had originally been occupied by Dr. Ibn Chambas of the NDC, but when he was appointed Executive Secretary of ECOWAS, he had to vacate the seat. Tuesday's by-election therefore would be a kind of mid term test for the NPP.

In a related development, GNA reports that Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, National Organiser of the National Democracy Congress (NDC), has told the party's polling agents for the Kumawu constituency parliamentary bye-election to be vigilant and help prevent malpractices.

He asked them to call attention to all forms of irregularities and expose to the Presiding Officers those who would attempt to engage in multiple voting. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo was addressing the opening of a one-day training workshop for 93 polling agents of the NDC at Kumawu on Wednesday. He reminded them that together with the election officers they are responsible for ensuring that the election was conducted according to the rules.

"You must therefore, carry out your duties with absolute honesty and integrity. If you have an objection to make against any person in relation to the election, do so through the Presiding Officer."

Mr Bede Ziedeng, Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, called on political parties contesting the bye-election to observe responsible conduct to make the polls clean and transparent.