NDC Cries Foul

....As By-Election Approaches in Navrongo

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Saturday expressed concern about what they perceive as wrong use of the state apparatus by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the run-up to the by-elections in Navrongo Central.

It said the behaviour of the NPP amounted to rough tactics calculated to thwart the chances of the NDC, describing such moves as politically irresponsible, unfair and unjust.

This concern was raised by the party following a letter from the Navrongo District police headquarters stopping the NDC from organising its rallies scheduled for March 21-22 in some selected communities in that constituency.

A letter dated March 17, and signed by the Navrongo District Police Commander, Superintendent D.S. Sampana, in part read, "in view of the visit of the Vice President His Excellency Alhaji Aliu Mahama to Navrongo on 21/03/03 and 22/03/03, we wish to advise that you kindly reschedule your planned rally at Azaasi, Nogsenia, Animal market in Navrongo, Nimbasenia, Kapania, Daboren and Bavugnia on the said 21/03/03 and 22/03/03".

The party apparently had applied to the Police in Navrongo on March 11 to hold its rallies on the stated dates.

A leading member of the NDC in the region, and Member of Parliament (MP) for the Talensi Constituency, Mr. John Tia, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Bolgatanga, that the move totally contradicts on-going efforts at nurturing the country's young democracy.

Mr. Tia said the Vice President's visit was used as an excuse to prevent the NDC, especially from holding its planned rallies and added that the NPP had gone all out targeting the NDC with state protocol excuses and state apparatus thereby preventing the NDC from making inroads.

He said the order by the police indicates that the NDC has only Sunday March 23 to hold its rallies adding that even with these hindrances the people still have confidence in the NDC and would vote its candidate to win the seat.

When contacted by the GNA for their side of the story, however, both the Regional Police Commander, Mr Bernard Dery, and the Navrongo District police boss, Mr Sampana, dismissed the NDC's allegation as ridiculous and untrue.

They explained that the position taken by the police on the issue was in conformity with the political party law, which prohibits two different parties from holding rallies in the same locality at the same time, due to security reasons.

They said it was not the business of the police to interfere in the campaign plans of the NDC or any other political party for that matter, adding that the decision directing the NDC to reschedule its rally dates was taken in good faith and in the interest of public security.