Politics of Monday, 10 October 2016

Source: dailyguideafrica.com

2016 poll is do and die affair – NDC

Bismarck Tawiah Boateng Bismarck Tawiah Boateng

The Eastern Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Bismarck Tawiah Boateng, has declared that the December 7 general election will be “do and die affair” as the party is ready to face the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) if the latter party attempts to spark any violence or intimidate its (NDC) members.

According to the NDC regional chairman, the NPP has plans to deploy thugs to intimidate his party’s supporters in the region, especially in the Kwahu areas, saying the NDC would not allow the NPP to distract the electoral process to its advantage.

Mr. Tawiah Boateng, addressing participants at a campaign launch at Abetifi Kwahu on Friday claimed, “I am from the Eastern Region, have been the regional organiser before becoming the chairman; we won’t fight but the NPP shouldn’t think the region is their stronghold so they can intimidate us to win power. If they dare, we shall also meet them boot for boot.

“I am calling on the security agencies to act professionally and be ready to protect lives and properties during the Election Day.”

The NDC chairman, preaching the same ‘violence message’ at Suhum cautioned, “Elections are won at the polling stations and are declared at the coalition centres therefore, the NDC won’t cause any trouble; but if the NPP attempts to cause violence or distract the process to win the elections, then I am assuring them [NPP] that we will also meet them.”

Mr. Tawiah Boateng further assured the party supporters that the NDC has the men to fight for them so they shouldn’t be afraid.

Dr. Omane Boamah, Communications Minister, also addressing the party supporters during the campaign launch of Margret Ansei aka Magoo – the party’s parliamentary candidate for Suhum – repeated that Nana Akufo-Addo declared “all die be die’’ in the run-up to the 2012 elections with a mindset to cause fear and panic to the NDC therefore, the NDC is ready to face the NPP in this year’s elections if the latter party dares to intimidate supporters of the former.

Again, the NDC regional chairman, who recently said Nana Akufo-Addo, standard bearer of the NPP, will jail them (NDC bigwigs) if he wins the presidential slot, described him (Nana Addo) as a divisive leader who supervised the suspension of the NPP National Chairman, General Secretary and Second Vice Chairman, Paul Afoko, Kwabena Agyepong and Sammy Crabbe respectively.

Mr. Tawiah Boateng advised the NDC members to unite as the party gears up for the December 7 general election, adding that with unity and hardwork, the party would massively win the polls.