Talensi by-election: No record of assault on Blay- Police

Source: myjoyonline.com  -  The Upper East Police Command is accusing leaders of the opposition New Patriotic Party of exaggerating attacks they suffered during the by election in Talensi.

Contrary to claims by the First Vice Chairman of the party Freddie Blay that he was assaulted, as were two other leading members of the party, the Police claim they have no reported case of assault on Blay.

Superintendent Asamoah Frimpong told Joy FM's Upper East Region correspondent Albert Sore that it was rather Freddy Blay who accompanied the two assaulted colleagues- the National Treasurer Kwabena Abankwah and his aide Henry Akufo Gyan to the hospital.

He did not understand why Blay will claim to have been assaulted when there is no official report of an attack on him.

The Talensi by-election ended yesterday with the governing NDC recapturing the seat it lost in the 2012 elections.

The election was not without violence. A former Minister of State under the Kufuor regime Rashid Bawa told Joy News during the election that Blay together with the National Treasurer had been attacked.

He accused the Azorka Boys, a vigilante group affiliated to the NDC of masterminding the attacks. He said Blay was treated and discharged after sustaining minor injuries but the two others had to be detained a while longer because their injuries were relatively severe.

The NDC also reported of casualties to some of its leaders in yesterday's election. Party chair Kofi Portuphy accused some NPP members of attempting to frustrate the president of coming to the area to campaign by putting up road blocks.

He called for the arrest of the perpetrators.

While the police admit to some violence that characterised the election Superintendent Asamoah Frimpong said there are yet to make any arrest.

He said they have intensified investigation into the reported attacks and may soon make some arrests.

But Communications Director of the NPP Nana Akomea expressed surprise at the inability of the police to make any arrest.

He said it was intriguing that the police impounded weapons from vehicles reportedly owned by NDC supporters and yet were unable to make any arrests.

While accusing the police for failing to do their jobs, he was quick to add that it was entirely possible that Freddy Blay will not make an official report of assault to the police because he sustained minor injuries.

The Deputy General Secretary of the governing NDC Koku Anyidoho also called for the arrest of the perpetrators irrespective of their political affiliation and be dealt with accordingly.