Akwatia, By-election, Residents
Some residents in Akwatia in the Eastern Region are demanding payment before casting their ballots.
At the Akwatia Zongo-Vawaso Electoral area, a section of the electorate openly told Citi News’ Fauzu Masawudu, on Tuesday, September 2, that they would only vote after receiving money from the two main political parties.
The constituents expressed dissatisfaction over the inability of politicians to distribute monetary inducements due to the heavy security presence.
“Due to the presence of the heavy security, the politicians were unable to distribute money to us. We didn’t get anything.”
Another voter also said, “We have been trained this way, we love money. We have been given money during elections over the years; we’re waiting to receive money from the parties before we vote. We haven’t voted yet.”
The by-election is being contested by the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Solomon Kwame Asumadu and the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Bernard Bediako. It follows the passing of the constituency’s Member of Parliament, Ernest Kumi.
Despite the Electoral Commission and security agencies assuring a free and fair election, reports of vote-buying allegations have surfaced, with voters openly expressing their expectation of financial inducements before participating in the polls.
Source:Citi News
