Albert Kofi Arhin National Coordinator of the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), has said that the move by the newly-elected National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, to set up “Ballots Protection Unit” for the protection of the Party’s ballots during 2020 elections is not necessary.
According to him, the creation of the aforementioned group may escalate into a vigilantism group which may also mar the 2020 general election.
Speaking on Happy FM’s Epa Hoa Daben show, Mr. Arhin said, “Creation of ballot box protection unit is not necessary, if they create any group now it may escalate into something else that cannot be controlled, maybe vigilantism.”
He also said that the protection of votes is very necessary for our political dispensation but it is not the work of the politician to set up a protection unit to protect ballot boxes.
“It’s good to protect votes and ballot boxes but it’s not the work of the politicians; the electoral commission and the security agencies responsible for that.”
Mr. Arhin added that, “This clearly says that, we don’t trust the system, the NCCE and other agencies responsible for educating the public must ensure that education on electoral processes and all related matters on election goes down well with the political Parties.”
Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, who was addressing delegates at the 9th National Delegates Congress after he was declared the winner in the contest, hinted of plans to establish a ballot box protection unit that would protect ballot boxes and polling agents on Election Day.
By: Joseph Nii Ankrah
