By:Kenneth Appiah Bani.
Security concerns marked the re-run of the Council of State election in the Ashanti Region as one individual was arrested for attempting to breach security protocols at the voting venue. The arrest occurred after police set up barricades to enhance security and maintain order during the electoral process.
The re-run was necessitated by chaos and disruption during the initial voting session, where a group of assailants attacked Electoral Commission (EC) officials and vandalized electoral materials, including cast ballot papers. In response to the disturbances, the voting venue was relocated from the regional coordinating council to the Prempeh Assembly, following calls from candidates for a more secure location.
Security at the new venue was significantly heightened to prevent any further disruptions. A total of 86 delegates were expected to cast their votes to select the region’s representative on the Council of State. According to reports from TV3’s Ashanti Regional Correspondent, the arrival of the remaining 39 delegates by bus momentarily heightened tensions at the voting center.
In a bid to maintain order, high-profile individuals, including Kennedy Agyapong and former Education Minister Dr. Adutwum, were denied entry to the voting area due to a lack of accreditation. This measure was enforced to prevent unauthorized access and potential interference in the voting process.
The electoral re-run proceeded under strict security measures to ensure a smooth and transparent voting process.
