Takoradi NPP Polling Station Elections Marred By Confusion As Aggrieved Supporters Allege “Mafia Tactics”.
Some aggrieved supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Takoradi Constituency of the Western Region have described the ongoing polling station elections as shambolic, alleging deliberate attempts to remove known grassroots supporters from the process to favour certain individuals seeking re-election.
The situation at the YMCA polling station turned chaotic after some supporters besieged the area and destroyed ballot papers over what they described as “mafia tactics” aimed at disqualifying them from contesting the elections.
Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved group, Emmanuel Tawiah, the incumbent Youth Organizer for the Bank of Ghana polling station, claimed his name and those of several others had been removed from the register.
According to him, the NPP appears not to have learnt lessons from its 2024 election defeat, stressing that the party, once regarded as a beacon of democracy, is now being driven by selfish and parochial interests of a few individuals.
He explained that in previous elections, aspirants with anomalies on their forms were given the opportunity to make corrections, but this was allegedly not the case in the current process.
Mr. Tawiah has therefore called on the party hierarchy to, as a matter of urgency, investigate the allegations and address the concerns if the party is serious about rebuilding towards the 2028 general elections.
Some other aggrieved supporters also expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the polling station elections, accusing party officials of using tactics to sideline them in favour of preferred candidates.
According to them, such actions could negatively affect the fortunes of the party because the NPP was not built on intimidation and unfair treatment.
Meanwhile, the Takoradi Constituency Election Committee has dismissed the allegations.
Chairman of the committee, Chief Ibrahim Mohammed Saaba, described the accusations as frivolous and without merit.
He explained that the party gave equal access and opportunity to all members through a vetting process, insisting that some of the aggrieved persons failed to properly fill out their forms to contest the elections.
He further urged supporters to put the interest of the party first and respect the and regulations governing the polling station elections.
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