We did not break the rules of engagement with the police - David Asante

Betty

September 16, 2015 6:30 PM

The police claimed the demonstrators violated agreements on the approved routes for the demonstration.

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Convenor of the Let My Vote Count Alliance David Asante has denied that demonstrators broke the law to warrant the attack on them by the police.

A demonstration by the members and supporters of the Alliance to drum home the need for a new voters register turned violent.

Many people got injured and some were flogged by the police.

The police claimed the demonstrators violated agreements on the approved routes.

But David Asante said from the onset the police acted as if they were dealing with a violent crowd.

“The commencement of the programme saw the police rather formed a file leading the demonstrators. I alerted the regional commander and told him this is not the way to go we do not intend making the work of the police difficult neither do we expect the police to ever suppress out desire to exercise that legitimate democratic right.” He said.

He added that the police applied maximum force on a crowd which was not armed.

He said the police fired shots and then tear gas on a group of people who tried to join the demonstrators from a different route.

But accounts from journalists who covered the protest indicate otherwise.

Pulse.com.gh reporter Mildred Europa Taylor reported that the police used force when the demonstrators veered of the approved route towards the EC office.

The Let My Vote Count Alliance, Movement for Change and AFAG are all supporting the NPP’s call for a new voters register.

The NPP has made a strong case for the new register through a petition to the EC.

The EC will make a decision on the 22 of September after all other parties have presented a proposal.

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