NDC accuses NPP of intimidation and intolerance

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of intimidation and intolerance as the campaign for the Kumawu constituency parliamentary bye-election enters its final stage.

It said apart from a deliberate smear campaign being waged against its candidate, Mr Richard Martin Osei, the NPP was also organising its supporters to boo and prevent the NDC campaign team from mounting platform to canvass for votes in certain communities.

A press statement issued and signed by Mr Bede A. Ziedeng, the Deputy General Secretary of the party on Sunday, mentioned Besoro and Drobonso as communities where the incident had taken place.

It said posters of Mr Osei had been defaced and removed at Besoro the hometown of the late Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Mr Reo Addai Basoah, pointing out that, such acts were not only objectionable but undermined efforts at building democracy.

The NDC therefore called on the leadership of the NPP to advise its supporters against the practice and to organise a 'clean' campaign.

The statement noted that in spite of the intimidation and rough tactics, the NDC had grown in strength and in support and was poised to wrestle the seat from the NDC.

It said "the NDC would gracefully accept defeat if the elections are truly free, fair and transparent. Anything short of that would be unacceptable not only to the NDC, but we believe, to all Ghanaians."

The statement said the NDC had so far conducted its campaign responsibly and called on the Electoral Commission and the Ashanti Regional Security Council to ensure security at all polling stations on voting day.