The New Patriotic Party (NPP) constituency elections in Bantama, Kumasi, descended into chaos yesterday after a group of unidentified macho men invaded the voting centre, disrupting the electoral process and destroying election materials.
The incident, which occurred at the Kumasi Cultural Centre, led to the arrest of three suspects and left one person injured.
The suspects, identified as the Bantama Constituency Organiser, Shaibu Bamba, the Adoato Polling Station Chairman, Abdullah Abubakar, and a third individual, are currently assisting the police with investigations.
Eyewitnesses said the violence erupted shortly after the Ashanti Regional Police Commander had visited the venue and was leaving. About seven heavily built men reportedly stormed the polling centre, vandalising ballot boxes, ballot papers, tables and chairs, forcing election officials and delegates to flee for safety.
The election involved 1,218 delegates and had already been surrounded by controversy following a legal challenge by three party members who secured an injunction over the alleged removal of their names from the party’s voter register.
As a result of the court action, the Electoral Commission declined to supervise the election, compelling the NPP to organise the internal poll on its own.
It was during this party-supervised exercise that the violence occurred.
The injured victim was immediately rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for medical treatment, while the three suspects were transported to the Ashanti Regional Police Command for interrogation.
Police have cordoned off the election venue and declared it a crime scene as investigations continue to identify and apprehend the other individuals involved in the attack.
The latest incident has raised fresh concerns about security and discipline during internal political party elections, with many party supporters calling for swift action against those responsible to safeguard the integrity of future electoral processes.
