By Abigail Akorfa Adasia
A voting irregularity at the Ewiebo Junction D/A Primary 2B School polling station in Ellembelle sparked controversy during the 2024 general election.
The incident involved the Presiding Officer, Mr. Ebenezer Ampomah, who reportedly escorted a voter into the voting booth despite the individual showing no visible signs of disability or requesting assistance.
The action immediately drew the attention of members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) present at the polling station. They raised concerns about the legality of the presiding officer’s intervention, accusing him of potentially violating the voter’s right to a confidential ballot.
“This is unacceptable. The voter showed no need for assistance, yet the presiding officer intervened. This act undermines the integrity of the voting process,” said an NDC agent who witnessed the incident.
Eyewitnesses said the voter appeared confused but did not explicitly ask for help. The NDC members insisted that any form of assistance in the voting process must follow due protocol, including verifying the voter’s request and ensuring transparency to avoid suspicions of undue influence.
Mr. Ampomah defended his actions, claiming that he was only trying to assist the voter after observing signs of hesitation. “I acted in good faith to ensure the process moved smoothly. There was no intention to interfere with the voter’s choice,” he stated.
The incident has heightened tensions at the polling station, with both NPP and NDC representatives exchanging words over the matter. Security personnel stationed at the polling center intervened to prevent further escalation.
Election observers in the area have called for calm and urged the Electoral Commission to investigate the incident swiftly. “The integrity of the electoral process must be preserved at all costs,” said a representative of a local monitoring group.
The Electoral Commission is yet to issue an official response to the allegations, but the incident has added to growing concerns about irregularities in the highly contested Ellembelle constituency.
Residents in the area are urging all parties to prioritize the peaceful conduct of the elections.
Meanwhile, NDC members have vowed to continue monitoring the process closely to prevent further irregularities.
The Ellembelle constituency, known as a hotbed for political competition, remains under close watch as tensions rise in the race for parliamentary and presidential votes.
However, when questioned, he noted that she needed help because getting into the box, she didn’t even know how to vote.
