Tensions flared in Ablekuma North today as residents and political observers accused the Adentan Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Lumor Frederick Senanu, of masterminding violent disruptions during the Electoral Commission’s supervised rerun of the parliamentary election in the constituency.
Eyewitnesses alleged that the police officer facilitated attacks on sitting Member of Parliament and former Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson, as well as several other known New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters at various polling stations.
According to reports from the ground, individuals believed to be hired thugs stormed multiple voting centres, allegedly under the direction of the police commander.
Journalists covering the election process were also reportedly assaulted. One media practitioner, whose name is yet to be disclosed, was said to have been physically attacked while filming confrontations between party supporters and individuals linked to the disturbances.
Some residents claim the officer’s involvement in local land disputes in Adentan has given him ties to gangs of land guards, elements of which they suspect were used to intimidate voters and disrupt the rerun process.