Walewale NPP Primary: Electoral Commission Declares Results Null and Void Amid Tension and Violence
Damaged Ballot Papers and Clashes Between Supporters of Mahama Tia Kabiru and Hajia Lariba Zuweira Abudu Mar Election
The Walewale Constituency parliamentary primary conducted by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been declared null and void by the Electoral Commission (EC). According to the Walewale EC Regional Director, most of the ballot papers have been damaged and cannot be identified for candidate A or B.
The development comes after a tense and violent atmosphere characterized the election, with supporters of Mahama Tia Kabiru and Hajia Lariba Zuweira Abudu, the two contenders for the parliamentary candidate slot, clashing at the forecourt of Eagle FM, a local radio station in Walewale.
Tension between the supporters of the two candidates had been building up, with sharp divisions among the constituency executives, some of whom openly showed support for their preferred candidate. The situation escalated into a fisticuff between supporters of the opposing sides, drawing swift police attention.
The annulment of the results by the EC is a culmination of the tension, violence, and irregularities that marred the election. The EC’s decision has raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the ability of the NPP to conduct a peaceful and transparent primary election.
