There is brewing tension in the Ododiodiodoo constituency as Presidential aide and the National Democratic Congress’ parliamentary candidate for the Ododiodiodoo constituency, Nii Lantey Vanderpuije, has disrupted the ongoing biometric voter registration exercise

Information available to the New Statesman indicates that polling station agents belonging to the Nii Lante were instructed before the commencement of the 2nd phase of the registration exercise to challenge any prospective voter who does not bear a Ga name.

This same ploy, according to an NPP polling agent who gave his name as Hassan, was used by Nii Lante’s agents during the phase 1 of the registration exercise resulting in non-Gas being prevented from registering, whilst those lucky enough to register had their cards seized on the orders of Nii Lante Vanderpuije.

Knowing full well that the Kantamanto and Railway Police Station registration centres are perceived NPP strongholds, NDC polling station agents during today’s registration literally challenged every non-Ga person who tried registering at these centres. As opposed to the first phase of the registration exercise where Nii Lante Vanderpuije’s agents forcibly seized voter ID cards, EC officials as mandated by law temporarily took custody of voter ID cards.

Obviously not happy at the turn of events, Nii Lante’s thugs numbering close to 80 were summoned, first to the Railway Police Station registration centre to disrupt the process, resulting in the physical assault of a police officer who was at the registration centre. EC officials, fearing for their lives, packed their equipment and bolted from the registration centre, bringing to a premature end the registration exercise at the Railway Police Station registration centre.

These thugs then proceeded to the Kantamanto registration centre and tried to prevent market women, in particular, in the queue from registering. This attempt, according to reports, was resisted resulting in the police reinforcement being called in to maintain the peace. Surprisingly, none of Nii Lante’s thugs was arrested. Registration is said to be going on smoothly in Kantamanto at the moment.

Nii Lante Vanderpuije has stated on record that he, together with his polling agents, would resist “with our blood” the registration of “foreigners”, non-Gas in this case, who try to register in the Odododiodio Constituency.

Ever since the Biometric Voter Registration exercise commenced in the Ododiodiodoo constituency, there have been reports of assault on EC officials and prospective voters by thugs owing allegiance to Nii Lante Vanderpuije.

A Nigerian, Banwo Ashimiu, who was arrested after having registered as a voter in Cowlane was released, reportedly on the orders of Nii Lante Vanderpuije.