Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has stated its misgivings about the presence of heavily armed and masked security officers at the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election held yesterday, 31st January, 2018. CODEO avers the heavy presence of the security people is a number one factor that might have frightened voters from coming out of their homes to cast their votes. According to the Electoral Commission, voter turn-out was 19.62 percent.

Madam Lydia Seyram Alhassan of the New Patriotic Party was declared winner of the polls by the Returning Officer of the EC after defeating Mr Delali Kwesi Brempong of the National Democratic Congress (whose home was allegedly attacked by armed masked men), Mr William Doworkpor of Progressive People’s Party and Mr Clement Boadi of Liberation Party of Ghana. The main opposition party withdrew from the election following the alleged attack by the security personnel on its candidate and some party members.

CODEO has therefore called on the security services to investigate the incident, which led to the shooting of  persons as well as all forms of intimidation perpetrated by persons aligned to the security apparatuses. Earlier on election day, the Director General of Operations at the Ghana Police Service, DCOP Alex Mensah, denied knowledge of the masked men.

However, Minister of State in charge of National Scrutiny at the Office of the President, Hon. Brian Acheampong, has confirmed that the armed men were deployed by the Election Security Task Force. Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Friday, February 1, 2019, Hon Acheampong insisted that the violent action of the police in Bawaleshie was provoked by motor riders who were led by Hon. Sam George from Ningo-Prampram.

READ ALSO: Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election underway

Below is the full statement from CODEO.