The Ghanaian Journal

Voting at the New Patriotic Party National Delegates Congress at the University of Ghana has been suspended for over an hour following allegations of vote buying.

Mr. Paul Afoko, a known follower and supporter of candidate Alan Kyerematen was alleged to be distributing money to influence delegates in their voting.

Paul Afoko, a delegate to the congress has denied the allegation but has had to be escorted out of the precints of the congress grounds.

The trouble started when NPP National Organiser, Lord Commey exclaimed that voting rules have been breached without mentioning names.

His allegation was retorted to by Mr. O.B. Amoah, Deputy Minister for Education who is also a delegate, who said the proper procedure for reporting breaches, should have been to lodge a complaint with the electoral officers.

Indeed some delegates alleged that Paul Afoko was seen distributing cash in dollars.

According to Joy News correspondent, Evans Mensah, Paul Afoko said he had only visited the gents when some delegates and aspirant Kwabena Agyapong accosted him and accused him of distributing money.

Afoko was saved from being physically attacked by the police who used tasers to control the crowd.

Policemen providing security at the event have driven all cameramen away from the altercation.

Monitored reports suggest that a cameraman of the TV3 Network has had his camera taken away by some policemen who are controlling the situation with tasers on anyone they deem to be standing in their way, delegates and journalists mainly.

* Chief of Staff, Kwadwo Mpiani, ordered that Mr. Paul Afoko be brought back to participate in the congress.

*Paul Afoko has just been ushured back into the Congress amidst jeers and catcalls.

*Delegates from Bongo Constituency from the Upper West Region have just been prevented by officials of the Electoral Commission because they do not have thier names on the official delegates list.

*Paul Afoko has been moved out again amidst more jeers.

*Kuuku Welsing Jones, a media cordinator for Alan’s campaign, tells Joy FM correspondents that Afoko has left because he (Kuuku) advised him to do so since his chance to cast his vote had already past and that Alan would not need his vote.

*Kuuku Welsing Jones tells Joy News he ‘caught’ aspirant Jake Obetsebi Lamptey’s wife also engaged in the hooting against Afoko and he reprimanded her, suggesting to her that her behaviour was unbecoming of a potential First Lady.

*Voting has resumed and currently, delegates from Amenfi Central in the Western Region are having their turn.

*Some other delegates from Bongo claim they have voted and explain that those who were disallowed are people who managed to ‘chip’ in their own accreditation.

*Voting is underway and the Central Region has the turn now.

*Mac Manu reports allegation of “cash at polls” to Legon police for investigations.

*Fatigue sets in as aspirants and delegates nap the night away in their seats.

*Paul Afoko reports himself to the Inspector General of Police and maintains he did no such thing as he is accused of.

*Read more details shortly.