Isaac Kumah Asare, the National Democratic Congress aspirant for the Oforikrom Constituency Treasurer slot, has publicly condemned Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Frank Amoakohene for allowing the election to continue without ballot papers for the Deputy Secretary and Zongo Caucus positions.
Asare said aspirants had called for the entire process to be suspended until all ballot papers were ready, but their concerns were not addressed. He added that delays had prompted some delegates who were transported to the election grounds to leave, raising concerns about the fairness of continuing the process without their presence.
“For me, I do not support the Regional Minister’s decision, and I am highly disappointed in it. We are here to vote, but the ballot papers for the Deputy Secretary and Zongo Caucus positions were not ready. We raised concerns and called for the entire process to be halted until all the ballots were available, but our grievances were not addressed. Instead, the Regional Minister told us to proceed with the election,” he said.
Asare described the situation as painful and unfair to aspirants contesting the affected positions, insisting that proceeding without the relevant ballot papers undermined their right to contest. He vowed to continue speaking truth to power out of his commitment to the party.
The NDC’s internal election process has been under scrutiny, with several aspirants alleging procedural irregularities. The Ashanti Regional Minister’s decision to move forward has sparked debate over the integrity of the party’s nomination procedures and the potential impact on voter turnout.
Observers note that the absence of ballots for key positions could disenfranchise candidates and their supporters, potentially affecting the overall legitimacy of the NDC’s candidate selection in the region.
As the dispute unfolds, party officials and regional stakeholders are expected to engage in dialogue to address the grievances and ensure a fair and transparent nomination process for all aspirants.
