David Alan Painstil
3 March 2008
Cape Coast — The Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof John Evans Atta Mills, has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to investigate the sudden overwhelming upward increase of electoral figures in 13 constituencies in the Ashanti Region, just two years after the 2004 elections.
Speaking at a mini-rally in Cape Coast last Saturday, Prof Mills made it clear that it was incumbent on the EC to mount an intensive investigation into the over bloated voters' register, and if anyone is found culpable, the person(s) must be brought to book.
"It is very ridiculous for the figures to change tremendously in that particular region two years after general elections. Are those living there manufacturing human beings or ghosts from elsewhere?, he wondered. He also called on other opposition parties to join hands to rectify the situation before this year's general elections in order curtail any possible rigging.
For instance, he said, Kwabre West which had 36,291 voters had swelled to 77,264 voters by 2006, representing 112.9 % increase. Others were Mampong from 41,135 to 88,646 representing 115.5% increase, and Ejisu Sekyere Dumase from 38,114 to 84,182 which represented 120.9 % increase.
Prof Mills, who received a tumultuous welcome from the residents of the former colonial capital city, following his historic arrival from South Africa last month, told the crowd that some NDC members got angry with him, when he refused to hit the street to protest against the 2004 rigged election results. He, however, assured the NDC teaming supporters that God's time was the best.
He further indicated that the NDC would be vigilantat this year's general elections to ensure a free and fair elections, so that no party will have cause to complain. The former vice President appealed to the people of the Central Region to forget about their political differences and vote for him in order to get more development. He said, the NPP after amassing wealth in seven years were still requesting for some more years to rule this nation, adding that they did not have the interest of Ghanaians at heart.
Prof. Mills therefore urged Ghanaians to give him the mandate to show them the difference between the two political parties. He disclosed that the NDC planned the construction of an ultra-modern stadium for Cape Coast and assured that the party will fulfill the promise when it regains power.
The national womens organizer, Ama Benyiwa Doe, stirred the crowd when she gave a vivid account about Prof. Mills' academic and public service record. She said Prof. Mills obtained his Doctorate Degree at the age of 27 and refused an offer to lecture abroad but rather stayed to help his country.
According to her, Mills lectured at the University of Ghana, Legon, for 25 years and later became head of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), without involving himself in any corrupt act for the five years that he was there.
Benyiwa Doe further said, he then became vice President for another four years and discharged his duties diligently to his nation and she therefore described Prof. Mills as the best candidate among the four.
The Central Regional Chairman of the NDC, Mr. Samuel Vallis Akyianu, told residents of the region to help Prof. Mills to win the Presidential slot in order to assist the region to regain its past glory.
Prof Mills paid a courtesy call on the Omanhene of Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II and his chiefs.Osabarima advised Prof. Mills not to listen to his detractors but concentrate on his campaign.
He later worshipped with the Wesley Methodist Church in Cape Coast on Sunday.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 Ghanaian Chronicle. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
