The Deputy National Director of Elections and IT of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Tanko Rashid Computer, has disclosed that the party is currently not pursuing any case against New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Tolon Constituency, Mohammed Habib Iddrisu.
According to him, the party was currently focused on pursuing election petition cases against the NPP in constituencies where it believes the parliamentary elections were compromised and rigged in favor of the main opposition party.
Speaking on Tamale-based Radio Justice and monitored by Xtrememediaonline on Tuesday, February 18, the Deputy Director of Elections of the NDC said the case of the Tolon constituency was a different case that centered on criminality rather than election fraud; hence, the party was leaving it to the police to handle.
“Even though the Tolon incident was election-related violence, it is not an election petition case; it is a criminal case because one person lost his life, and so that is a separate case which the police are handling. It is not part of the cases we currently have in court.”
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On December 7, 2024, some persons allegedly linked to NPP Parliamentary Candidate Habib Iddrisu allegedly fired gunshots that killed a young man in Nyankpala and wounded several others. Then District Chief Executive for the area, Fuseini Salifu Issifu Moshie, was arrested over the alleged involvement in the death of the NDC supporter.
However, two months on, it is not clear if the MP was involved or is being investigated over his involvement, although the NDC vowed to initiate legal processes, including taking legal actions against the Tolon MP to ensure justice for the victims.
Meanwhile, Dr. Rashid Computer also disclosed that the party will do everything legal to take back the Kpandai parliamentary seat from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He claimed that the Kpandai MP, Mathew Nyindam, cheated his way into parliament, and the NDC will not allow his declaration to stand.
Dr. Rashid Computer said although the party will not use brute force to get him out of parliament, it will explore all legal avenues to make sure the law catches up with him and every other MP who cheated their way into parliament.
“Kpandai is in court; we are pursuing it; we are chasing it; we won’t let him go,” the Deputy National Director of Elections and IT said.
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Dr. Rashid Computer explained that just like the other constituencies, fake and scanned pink sheets were used to manipulate the election results in favor of the NPP candidate in Kpandai, hence the filing of the Election Petition case against the Kpandai MP at the Tamale High Court.
He said the NDC would pursue all ‘illegally’ declared parliamentary elections, even if it would take two years to get the courts to annul their election.
“We are pursuing all the seats we said we would pursue. The fact that you are in parliament doesn’t mean you cannot be removed. Do you remember Assin North MP in the last parliament? So even if they stay in parliament for two years, we will get them out. The NPP is always stealing parliamentary seats; that’s how they stole a number of seats during the 2020 elections, but now we won’t allow them.” Dr. Rashid Computer indicated.