Some electorates in the Talensi constituency of the Upper East Region have served notice that no amount of financial inducement or material gains will coerce them to vote for a particular political party during Tuesday’s by-election.
According them, they will vote for a Parliamentary candidate who is capable of representing their collective interest in Parliament.
This follows accusations and counter accusations by the two major political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of vote buying ahead of the polls.
There have been reports of financial inducements and sharing of goodies including clothes, alcohol, and TV sets to some selected electorates in areas perceived to be their strongholds of the political parties.
But some residents in an interview with Citi News vehemently warned that no amount of intimidation or vote buying could change their conscience.
One of them said: “As far as this by-election is concerned one cannot boast or say that is going to be a clear cut for either party because those who are now voting even including our old ladies are now aware that most at times people come and buy their conscience after that they fly away and leave them and the area will be under-developed.”
Another resident posited, “The election will be tough, any of the candidates could either win the election: first this constituency was for the NDC but now I don’t think it will be easier for them: either the PNC, NPP or the NDC might win.”
Meanwhile, the Upper East Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Thomas Agbanyo said the Police will not countenance unruly behavior at the polls.
“What we intend doing as far as this by-election is concerned is that we have zoned the constituency into 10 zones and each is been manned by a senior officer with about five men on board who will be stationed within that enclave to see to the orderly polling of that area.”
“We will also have about 30 men who will be on standby at the Tongo Police station.”
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