The Ellembelle Member of Parliament Emmanuel A.K. Buah has asked for the withdrawal of soldiers from the Western Region community.

According to the legislator, the military men have not been authorised to be there and are intimidating residents in the opposition NDC stronghold from carrying out their daily activities; especially going out to register to vote in the upcoming 2020 general elections.

NPP MP for Adansi Asokwa K.T. Hammond, has justified the presence of troops in Ketu South – otherwise known as the ‘world bank’ of the NDC – in the Volta Region.

He told journalists in parliament that the soldiers are to ensure foreigners do not cross the border with the aim of registering for the voter's ID card.

The government however said that was untrue, as the presence of the soldiers in the region was a part of the Covid-19 preventive restrictions to guard the border against the in-flow of foreigners into the country.

But residents of the town and other areas complain of harassment by the soldiers, some of whom they claim have stormed into their homes on illegal searches.

Speaking to the media in parliament Thursday, Mr. Buah said the government's claim of guarding the borders does not justify the presence of the troops in Ellembelle, because the Western Region NDC stronghold is not a border community.

He says the military high command must investigate the presence of the troops there since the Defense Minister Dominic Nitiwul claims he is unaware of any military presence in Ellembelle.

“I am calling on the Defense Minister and the military high command to immediately withdraw those soldiers because…I see them as unauthorised,” the lawmaker said.