NDC and NPP candidates exchange pleasantries

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidates in the Amenfi West Constituency by-election were on Thursday seen exchanging pleasantries at a polling station in Asankranguaa.

Mr Gerald Danquah, the NDC candidate, is the kid brother of Mrs Agnes Sonful of the NPP.

In an interview with the GNA, Mrs Sonful said her expectations were high and she hoped to win massively.

She said she would serve as a role model for young girls in the constituency when elected and motivate them to aim high in life.

Mrs Sonful said the relationship between herself and Mr Danquah was cordial.

Mr Danquah also expressed high hopes of winning the election saying that he had the support of 90 per cent of the youth.

He said the roles he had played in the constituency, were enough evidence to the entire constituency to vote for him adding, "my youthful age and experience makes me a better choice."

Mr Danquah pledged to improve on education in the constituency and encourage more development oriented non-governmental organisations to come and operate in the constituency.

Mr Ebo Archer, DPP candidate said he would establish an educational fund and train the youth in vocational and technical skills, to improve their lot.

He said the development of sports in the district would be one of his major objectives when elected.

Mr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission, in an interview with GNA said though voter turn-out was high in most of the places he had visited, other areas were receiving low patronage and expressed the hope that things would improve in course of the day.

The more than 300 Policemen and Policewomen and over 50 soldiers deployed in the town were seen walking about having very little to do.

A large number of soldiers were taking it easy near the District Administration Block at Asankranguaa, apparently waiting to be called in the case of any untoward eventuality.

In the voting, Presiding Officers at all the polling stations the GNA had visited by 1100 hours said everything had gone on smoothly since voting started at 0700 hours.

Registered voters were busily casting their votes or wielding their voters' identification card and heading towards a polling centre.

In all, 38,953 registered voters are expected to cast their votes and select a new parliamentary candidate to replace Mr Abrahim Kofi Asante, Member of Parliament for the area, who resigned a few weeks ago.

At 0730 hours 21 people had voted at the Buadum JSS, 30 others had voted at the Grade 11 Court at 0735 hours at Asankranguaa when the GNA visited the polling stations.

The Catholic JSS had recorded 69 voters at 0740 hours, while at Moseaso, about six kilometres from Asangranguaa, 96 voters had exercised their franchise by 0830 hours.

Meanwhile, the National Executive of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had scheduled a press conference for 1400 hours, Thursday, at the Melody Hotel in Asankranguaa.