Voting for TESCON delegates in Ghana's Ashanti Region was delayed on Saturday night at the New Patriotic Party's national delegates congress. Some delegates could not find their names in the Electoral Commission's album, causing a commotion. Several TESCON members were left waiting to cast their ballots, growing agitated and chanting "We are voting." The trouble started roughly five and a half hours after polls opened at about 6 p.m. on October 3.
The police moved in to calm the situation while EC officials worked on a solution. Officers cordoned off the area and guided the delegates back into queues as their complaints were looked into. According to reports, the album carrying the Ashanti TESCON delegates' names was initially believed to be missing. However, the National Coordinator of TESCON later clarified that the album had been at the centre since morning.
The National Coordinator of TESCON explained that Ashanti has 50 TESCON institutions, with representatives assigned to vote at one of three polling centres labelled A, B, and C. The problem arose as some delegates went to the wrong centre first. They would find their names missing at one centre, only to find them at another. The Coordinator assured that all 50 representatives' names appear on the EC's sub-album, ensuring none would be denied a vote.
The TESCON National Coordinator emphasized that the issue had been resolved, and voting had resumed. He stated that as he spoke, the voting process had started, and none of the delegates would be disenfranchised. The police restored order at the centre, and voting continued. At other polling centres, voting had closed, and officials had started counting ballots.
The incident occurred at the New Patriotic Party's national delegates congress, where TESCON delegates from the Ashanti Region faced challenges casting their ballots. The Electoral Commission and party officials worked to resolve the issue, ensuring that all eligible delegates could participate in the voting process.
The New Patriotic Party's national delegates congress is a significant event, with implications for the party's future. The incident highlights the importance of ensuring that all eligible delegates can participate in the voting process. The party and Electoral Commission officials took steps to address the issue, restoring calm and allowing voting to continue.
The situation was eventually brought under control, with police maintaining order and EC officials resolving the issue with the album. The TESCON delegates were able to cast their votes, and the party's national delegates congress continued. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of effective planning and execution in electoral processes.
Key points
- Police intervene as Ashanti TESCON delegates protest over missing names at NPP national delegates congress
- TESCON National Coordinator clarifies that album was not missing, but delegates went to wrong polling centre
- Voting resumes after issue is resolved, ensuring all eligible delegates can participate
