All set for Ablekuma Central bye-election - EC

Accra (Greater Accra) 24 March '99

The Electoral Commission (EC) on Wednesday said everything is set for a smooth poll in the bye-election in Ablekuma Central on Friday, March 26. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr David Kanga, Deputy Commissioner of the EC, and Mr Henry Okyne, Public Affairs Director, said security arrangements have been put in place to ensure a safe and smooth election. The Ablekuma Central seat became vacant following the death of the New Patriotic Party's Clement Samuel Crabbe last month. The constituency has 93,995 registered voters including one newly transferred, and 106 polling stations. The last elections in the area saw the NPP candidate polling 40 per cent of the votes cast to win the seat. The ruling National Democratic Congress came second with 38.8 per cent, while an independent candidate came third with a 9.5 per cent of the votes cast. The People's National Convention (PNC) had 8.8 per cent and the People's Convention Party (PCP) came last with 2.4 per cent. Ablekuma Central has five electoral areas, namely, Abossey Okai, which has 19 polling stations, Mataheko, 22 polling stations, Gbortui, 34, Laterbiokoshie, 15, and Nmemnette, 16 polling stations. The bye-election is deemed very significant, as it is considered a measuring rod to determine the stand of the various political parties. It will reinforce the effective dominance of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Parliament or the power of the breakaway force from the NDC known as the Reform Movement, which is fielding an independent candidate. The bye-election will also show whether the NPP won the seat by chance or whether it is still an effective force in the constituency. Mr Kanga said the electoral commission has taken delivery of all the ballot papers which, are in the custody of the Odorkor Police. "Currently, we have briefed all polling staff, presiding officers, and are in the process of briefing polling assistants on their specific duties. "We have in addition had two mobile police security patrol teams, which will be on hand for any disturbances that might occur", Mr Kanga said Mr Okyne said they, however, expect everything to be peaceful and normal. The EC denied any knowledge of the arrest of the NPP candidate in Accra this week, adding that it will not have any effect on his contest for the Ablekuma Central seat. Mr Kanga explained that "it is when there is a court order against him, or when he has been jailed that we can come in to disqualify him. As of now, it does not affect him in any way".