Parliamentary candidate for the NDC, John Dumelo
Parliamentary candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency, John Dumelo, has issued a strong warning to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rescind any decision to rig the upcoming December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections.
The candidate disclosed that he has gathered intelligence that there were plots being orchestrated by the NPP government to rig the elections in the constituency and across the country.
The intelligence he said was credible and that the NDC has adopted measures to match the NPP boot for boot in their rigging attempt.
He warned that the NDC will not use the courts to settle any post-election-related grievances because the courts have been compromised, lost their integrity, and so depending on them to resolve their issues would be fruitless.
“I am speaking based on certain facts that I have that the NPP is planning to rig the elections across the country, but this time around, their rigging schemes will not work because those they are planning to use in rigging the elections are equally angry about their performance and incompetence. We will match them boot for boot. We don’t have time to go to court because, clearly, the courts are not to be trusted. So this time around, we don’t have time to go to court.’’
When told that the party will have no other option than to go to court and challenge the results, he said, “We have an option. The option is to win at the polling stations. We will make sure we win at the polling stations. We will not allow any challenge to happen. Our courts would be at the polling stations. Our lawyers, our bailiffs, and our court clerks would be at the polling stations, and that is where we are going to win the elections.’’
He also lamented that there is no fair playing field in the campaign, accusing the government of using intimidation and harassment like they did in 2020.
“A fair playing field is not something that is available. They are still trying to use intimidating tactics. But we are here to protect the votes of the people on December 7. The constituents have told me they will vote for me, but I have to protect the ballots. In 2020, we made some mistakes, but in 2024, we have learnt our lessons and will protect our ballots,’’ he added.
John Dumelo made the remarks at the Breast Screening Exercise organised by Rainbow Radio in collaboration with the Trust Hospital.