The flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama, has commended the hierarchy of the Ghana Police Service for its yeoman’s job exhibited at the recently held Kumawu by-election to ensure incident-free exercise.
Ernest Yaw Anim of the NPP won the election with 15, 264 (70.91%) votes to beat his main rival Kwasi Amankwaa of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who had 3,723 (17.29%) votes.
Mr. Mahama who described the by-election in the Kumawu Constituency of the Ashanti Region as peaceful, said he cannot underscore the success chalked without the Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, and the entire Police Service.
“I would want to congratulate the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and his men and women for their assistance in ensuring a peaceful conduct of the polls. The conduct of the police personnel gives us confidence for the future that they will continue to bear true allegiance to the state and not to any political party,” he wrote on his Facebook wall.
He however expressed displeasure over what he described as infractions which were observed, and added that the Electoral Commission must up its game in subsequent elections.
“To the Electoral Commission, you are once again reminded that a credible election depends as much on the persons you recruit and appoint as presiding and other officers as much as it depends on the collaboration with the agents and representatives of the political parties.
“Many of the infractions observed should not have occurred. Our monitoring teams that ensured the early detection of these infractions will be looking forward to engaging further to ensure that these issues are definitely dealt with, and corrective measures taken ahead of any other election.”
The former president who was content with the professionalism of the good people of Kumawu amidst the peaceful conduct of the election said he will forever recall the “warmth of the people and the enthusiasm demonstrated” when he led a delegation from the NDC to campaign for its defeated candidate, Kwasi Amankwah.
