Violence marred the New Patriotic Party (NPP) polling station executive elections in Ahafo Ano North Constituency ( Tepa) , Ashanti Region, leaving two persons in critical condition after clashes involving machetes and reported warning shots.
The disturbances reportedly broke out during the electoral process amid accusations of manipulation and unfair treatment by some aggrieved party sympathizers.
According to the dissatisfied members, the confusion stemmed from claims that the Member of Parliament for the area, Nana Agyemang Prempeh, allegedly influenced the electoral album and allowed only his supporters to participate in the voting process.
Speaking to the media after the incident, the aggrieved party members called on the national, regional, and constituency leadership of the NPP to urgently intervene and restore order in the constituency.
They insisted that the polling station elections should not continue until their concerns are addressed fairly and transparently.
The group further alleged that electoral procedures were breached, claiming that the official voter album was not properly used during the exercise.
They also accused organizers of allowing nursing training students and students from Tepa Senior High School to vote without proper verification.
According to them, some individuals believed to be sympathizers of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) were also allowed to participate in the process.
The concerned members expressed worry that the developments could damage the party’s image and weaken its grassroots support in the constituency if immediate action is not taken.
They therefore appealed to the party leadership to act swiftly to preserve unity and maintain confidence among supporters ahead of future political activities.
The group also urged the MP and constituency executives to refrain from allegedly using macho men to intimidate party faithful, stressing the need for peace, due process, and fairness in the conduct of internal party elections.
Meanwhile, security presence in parts of Tepa was reportedly heightened following the clashes as tensions remained high among party supporters.
