The People of Tain constituency in the Brong Ahafo region will be casting their votes today to determine who becomes the next President of Ghana on January 7, 2009, as dark cloud hangs over the handing-over date.
The electorate in the constituency did not take part in the presidential run-off on December 28 on the orders of the Electoral Commission (EC) but now have to vote because of the closeness of the results of the presidential re-run between Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Professor John Evans Atta Mills of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Nana Akufo-Addo had 49.87 percent of the total votes cast whilst Professor Mills obtained 50.13 percent, making Tain the Florida of Ghana to determine whether Nana or Mills becomes the Ghana’s next president.
There were earlier reports that the election will not come on because a party had placed an injunction on it. However, a source at the EC confirmed to DAILY GUIDE that the people of Tain would definitely be casting their votes today.
At the time of filing this report, unconfirmed reports indicated that NPP’s bigwigs were considering boycotting the elections, leaving their supporters in a dilemma.
In a related development, the security agencies had tightened their operations in the area.
All entry points to the constituency had a security point where all vehicles and motorbikes entering were subjected to thorough checks.
These operations, according to security agencies, were to ensure that no dangerous weapons were carried into the constituency.
On conducting the checks, DCOP Seth Charles Oteng, Brong Ahafo Regional Commander noted that the only people exempted from the search were the presidential candidates of the NPP and the NDC, their running mates, former President Rawlings and President John Agyekum Kufuor.
Speaking to DAILY GUIDE, the Regional Police Commander assured Ghanaians that today’s election will be peaceful.
He therefore urged the people of Tain not to be deterred by the heavy military and police presence since they were there to protect them.
According to the Brong Ahafo Police chief, the military had set out five bases at Badu, Nsawkaw, Seikwa, Bibidi and Banda Ahinkro.
Supporters of both the NPP and the NDC were seen busily trying to outdo each as they were seen in their numbers in buses doing “we’re moving forward†dance by the NPP, whilst the NDC supporters were doing the “yeresesamu†sign.
A horde of journalists, foreign observers and other interested parties descended on the town, setting all eyes on the Tain Constituency.
Source:Daily Guide
