Irregularities in Kpando NDC elections unhealthy - Della Sowah

The Member of Parliament for Kpando, Mrs Della Sowah has called for the need to allow an independent body to conduct fresh branch elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kpando.

This, she said would be the only solution to the problems currently facing the constituency and has led to some party members threatening to leave the party.

She has therefore advised the election team in Kpando not to be afraid to allow an independent body like the Electoral Commission to conduct the fresh elections.

Speaking to the press and a cross section of NDC party members at Kpando, she said that she agreed with Former President Jerry Rawlings that there were issues with the elections.

She said at a meeting with former President Rawlings, the General Secretary, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia himself conceded that there were some issues with the credibility of the elections in Kpando and therefore cancelled it in two branches.

According to Mrs Della Sowah there was no transparency and availability of forms aside the date, time and venue for the elections not being communicated at least three clear days before the elections to members.

According to her, even though those conducting the elections were aware of the irregularities, they still went ahead and ignored caution from some members.

She said in many places the party’s registers were not used, people were either given multiple ballot papers or disqualified under unfair conditions and some interested candidates were denied access to forms even though the chairman had promised to sell forms to people and allow them to contest the elections.

Mrs Sowah stressed that there was the need for an independent body, most preferably, the Electoral Commission to be allowed to conduct fresh elections in all branches.

She said "if those who conducted the elections feel that they did the right thing, then they should not be afraid to have an independent group verify what they did."

She added it was unacceptable to take away people’s mandate in order to force candidates on them.