Supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ablekuma North Constituency of the Greater Accra Region have launched an active campaign ahead of Thursday’s re-run of elections in 19 polling stations despite a directive from the party’s national leadership to boycott the vote.
Earlier this week, NPP General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua announced at a press conference that the party would not participate in the re-run, citing alleged bias by the Electoral Commission (EC).
Kodua claimed the EC had failed to address concerns raised by the NPP following the initial primary, which was marred by disputes over electoral irregularities.
However, local party members and grassroots supporters appear to be defying the national directive. On the ground, campaign activities are in full swing for Akua Afriyie, the NPP parliamentary hopeful, as she faces off against her National Democratic Congress (NDC) counterpart, Awura Abena Obeng.
The internal disagreement has raised questions about cohesion within the party’s ranks. While national executives argue that participating in the re-run could legitimize a flawed process, local supporters say they are focused on securing a win for their preferred candidate.
“We cannot hand over the constituency to the NDC without a fight,” one local party organizer told reporters. “Our people want Akua Afriyie, and we believe she won fairly the first time.”
The re-run was ordered by the EC after disputes emerged regarding alleged voting irregularities during the NPP’s earlier parliamentary primaries. The 19 affected polling stations are expected to play a decisive role in determining the final outcome.
The Electoral Commission has assured the public of a transparent and fair process in Thursday’s re-run, urging all political actors to maintain peace and decorum.
As tensions simmer between the NPP’s national leadership and its grassroots supporters in Ablekuma North, all eyes will be on how events unfold during and after the re-run election.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
