Few hitches but too early to make an assessment, says Mahama
John Mahama says it's too early to make a full assessment of the happenings in the voting process though there have been few hitches
The Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama has voted at Bole in the Savanna Region in the ongoing presidential and parliamentary elections.
Speaking to the media shortly after voting, Mahama called on the electorates to exercise their franchise but ensure that they do not cause violence.
“There was no queue and that is usual of this polling station, I have voted here since 1992 and the process has been very peaceful, very smooth and as you said I voted in the presidential and parliamentary elections under three minutes,” he said.
Mahama added, “It is too early yet to make an assessment but there are some few hitches like this polling station there is a lady, she has got a card from this polling station, but her name is not on the list, one of my security personnel, I registered with him and during the exhibition we checked and his name was on the list but we got here today, his name is not on the list.”
The NDC flagbearer said he hopes the current peaceful and smooth process is replicated across the country in the entire process.
“That it should go smoothly, there should be no incident, the way you saw the atmosphere here, I hope it will be same across the country, and I hope counting and collation follows the same pattern”
Meanwhile Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has also cast his vote at the Kperiga D/A Primary School in the Walewale constituency of the North East Region at 8:30 am, after going through the necessary Covid 19 protocols.
In brief remarks to the media after casting his ballot, Vice President Bawumia urged all eligible Ghanaians to cast their votes in a peaceful manner and help consolidate Ghana’s reputation as an oasis of peace in the West African sub-region.
“I encourage all qualified Ghanaians to come out and vote. This is a very important civic exercise, which we must discharge in a peaceful manner.”
Ghana, he noted, “is the most peaceful country in West Africa, and we all have a responsibility to ensure that we vote peacefully, go home and wait for the EC to do its job of counting and declaring the results. They have done a solid job so far, and I’m confident they will make us all proud.”
Vice President Bawumia assured of beefed up security in the areas which have experienced some disturbances ahead of the polls, such as Yagaba-Kubori, warning that” any miscreants will be severely dealt with.”
“Let’s make ourselves and our nation proud. Let us eschew any forms of disturbance and maintain our well-earned reputation for conducting peaceful elections. At the end of the day, Ghana wins,” he added.
After casting his ballot, Vice President Bawumia visited a number of polling stations in the constituency to observe the process. He commended officials of the Electoral Commission for insisting on proper adherence to the Covid 19 protocols, reminding voters that the pandemic was still with us.
Fred Dzakpata
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