Accra, Dec. 26, GNA - The Electoral Commission (EC) has suspended the parliamentary elections in six constituencies in Akwatia, which was to take place concurrently with the Presidential Election Runoff scheduled for Sunday December 28 2008.

A statement Mr Christian Owusu-Parry, Acting Director of Public Affairs, signed on Friday said the suspension was necessitated by a court action brought against the re-run by three of the candidates, who contested the election.

The affected polling stations are Yoruba Mosque Akwatia A and B; Presby JSS; Lorry Station Akwatia A and B and the AME Zion Church Akwatia A.

The Commission explained that the court action did not affect the Presidential Election Runoff in the Akwatia Constituency and advised eligible voters in the constituency that the Presidential Election Runoff would take place at all polling stations throughout the country on Sunday, December 28, 2008 including the whole of Akwatia constituency and the six polling station affected by the court order.

Counting of votes was stopped due to confusion among the supporters of the candidates of two of the contesting parties - New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Party.

With this new development, it means that the NDC, which has 114 out of the 228 parliamentary seats so far declared by the EC, would determine who would become the Speaker and the Majority Leader of the Fifth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana when it convenes on January 7, 2009.