Tensions soared in the Ledzokuku constituency when armed military personnel stormed the collation centre in Teshie, sparking panic among onlookers.
The soldiers, reportedly escorting ballot boxes from polling stations in areas like Tsuibleo and Agblizaa, entered the facility with full force.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with military officers armed with rifles disembarking from their vehicles and firing warning shots into the air to disperse the gathered crowd. The unexpected military presence and the loud gunfire created a climate of fear and confusion.
The crowd, already gathered at the collation centre, expressed outrage at the turn of events. Many questioned why the military was involved in escorting ballot boxes, a responsibility traditionally handled by the police. “This is not normal; it’s supposed to be the police, not soldiers with guns,” one eyewitness lamented.
Security agencies, including the police, are now working to restore calm in the area. The military’s involvement has raised concerns about the potential intimidation of voters and election observers, with many calling for clarity on the decision to deploy soldiers for election-related duties.
As tensions remain high, the incident has reignited discussions on the appropriate roles of security forces in safeguarding electoral processes, with stakeholders urging for measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.