Former NPP Secretary Accuses Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam EC Director of Interfering in Partisan Affairs

Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Constituency Secretary for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, Kweku Noah, has accused the Electoral Commission’s (EC) District Director for the area, Eunice Bonsi, of interfering in the party’s internal electoral processes.

Speaking at a press conference after honouring a police invitation over a complaint lodged against him, Mr Noah questioned the EC official’s role in the controversy surrounding the NPP’s disputed constituency elections.

According to him, the constituency elections had been placed under an injunction following a legal challenge by a party member. As a former constituency secretary and stakeholder, Mr Noah said he was asked to intervene and engaged the plaintiff, who indicated a willingness to withdraw the case to allow the elections to proceed.

Mr Noah alleged that the EC District Director subsequently imposed conditions regarding when the case should be withdrawn before she would be available to supervise the elections.

He said the party was informed that the withdrawal needed to be completed within a specific period, citing the Director’s availability and other administrative challenges.

“We complied with her demands,” he said, adding that they were later assured that the elections could proceed.

However, Mr Noah claimed that further demands were introduced, including a request for the regional party leadership to formally communicate the venue and date for the elections.

He also raised concerns about the printing of ballot papers, claiming that after changes to the list of candidates, the party was asked to bear the cost of printing new ballots.

“This is an NPP election; it is an internal election. Is it the duty of candidates to pay for ballot printing?” he questioned.

Mr Noah said the changing conditions surrounding the process left him frustrated and raised concerns about the neutrality of the EC official.

He questioned whether it was within the mandate of an Electoral Commission official to determine when a political party should withdraw a court case or set conditions for the conduct of its internal elections.

“Is it the role of the EC to interfere in internal political matters?” he asked.

Mr Noah also denied allegations that he threatened the life of the EC District Director.

He said he had reported to the police after receiving an invitation from the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District Police Command, commending officers for what he described as their professional handling of the matter.

“I have availed myself to the police, written my statement and gotten bail. I’m going to bring all the other witnesses,” he stated.

He said he would cooperate with the investigation and present witnesses who could speak to the conversations at the centre of the dispute.

Mr Noah further disclosed that he had petitioned the national leadership of the Electoral Commission to investigate the conduct of the District Director.

He accused her of failing to remain neutral and warned against public officers becoming involved in partisan political activities.

In a sarcastic remark, Mr Noah said that if the EC official wanted to participate in partisan politics, she was free to openly join the NPP and support a candidate of her choice.

EC Director Responds

Reacting to the allegations, the EC District Director for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, Eunice Bonsi, confirmed that she had lodged a complaint with the police against Mr Noah following a telephone conversation between them.

She, however, declined to comment further, saying the matter was before the police and she would allow the appropriate authorities to handle it.

The dispute has emerged against the backdrop of tensions surrounding the NPP’s internal constituency elections in Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam.

While police investigate the complaint involving Mr Noah and the EC Director, Mr Noah is also seeking an investigation by the Electoral Commission into the conduct of its District Director.