NPP Congress: Police seize phones of delegates in Kumasi

The police and EC officials manning the ongoing special delegates’ congress of the main opposition New Patriotic Party in Kumasi in the Ashanti region have reportedly seized mobile phones of some delegates who were seen taking pictures of their ballot after voting.

The police were instructed by the party leadership following what it says is an attempt by some delegates to compromise the integrity of the elections.

General Secretary of the party, Kwabena Agyepong, told Peace FM “The directive is to safeguard the principle of secret balloting and to protect the integrity of the elections as enshrined in Ghana’s constitution. These developments do not help our democracy.”

787 delegates are taking part in Sunday’s (Today) Super Delegates Congress – meant to reduce the number of flagbearer-aspirants of the main opposition New Patriotic Party from seven to five.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the 2008 and 2012 presidential candidate, and his closest rival, Mr Alan John Kwadjo Kyerematen, a former Minister of Trade and Industry, are slugging it out once again, together with five other contestants. They are a former Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku; a former Minister of Information, Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng.

Others are the Member of Parliament for Mampong and ranking member of the Select Committee of Environment, Science and Technology in Parliament, Mr Francis Addai-Nimoh; the Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, Mr Kofi Osei Ameyaw; and the Second Deputy Speaker and Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan, Mr Joe Ghartey.