The Electoral Commission (EC) has revealed that three of its personnel sustained injuries in the violence that erupted during the Yendi parliamentary election for the New Patriotic Party on Saturday, January 27, 2024.
The contest, featuring the incumbent Yendi MP, Farouk Aliu Mahama, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Hajia Abibata Shanni Mahama Zakariah, turned violent during the vote counting at the Yendi polling center.
Citi FM/Citi TV’s Northern Regional correspondent, Mohammed Aminu M. Alabira, was assaulted by Yendi MP Farouk Aliu Mahama during the counting process.
Ghana Police Service personnel had to intervene to rescue the journalist, EC officials, and other individuals, moving them to the Yendi Divisional Police Command.
Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, the Director of Electoral Services at the Electoral Commission (EC), informed Umaru Sanda Amadu on Eyewitness News on Citi FM that three EC officials were injured during the incident.
“Some of our officers were attacked and injured, and they have been taken to the hospital for treatment. Three of them were attacked, and one was severely injured. We hope that the police will conduct an investigation,” said Dr. Serebour Quaicoe.
He explained, “The information I received from our regional director is that after they had finished casting the ballot, the votes for the various candidates were sorted out and stuck together. They started counting for the incumbent and reached 296 when there was a commotion, and the counting was disrupted. Some of the ballots were destroyed, so we could not declare any results.”