Former Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay, has raised concerns over the National Democratic Congress (NDC) 's decision to contest additional parliamentary seats despite its claim of a commanding majority.
During an interview on Joy FM on December 24, 2024, he described the move as unnecessary and potentially destabilising the country's peace.
The NDC, which asserts that it has secured 187 parliamentary seats, has vowed to pursue legal action to claim victory in a few disputed constituencies.
"I'm surprised that NDC has won 187 seats and is still chasing after two or three more," he lamented.
He expressed surprise at this stance, questioning the rationale behind the opposition's push for more seats.
He warned of dire consequences if court decisions and Electoral Commission (EC) rulings are not respected.
"If justice is denied, can you imagine the chaos this country will run into?... If we've all voted, counted, and signed the pink sheets, and someone with a gun forces a declaration, chaos will ensue," he warned.
A controversial re-collation held at the Greater Accra Regional Office of the Electoral Commission (EC) on Saturday, December 21, saw four seats, which were initially declared for the NDC, namely Obuasi East, Okaikwei Central, Tema Central, and Techiman South, re-declared in favour of the NPP.
The Obuasi East seat, which was initially declared for NDC's Samuel Aboagye, was re-declared for NPP's Patrick Boakye-Yiadom; the Tema Central seat, which was declared for NDC's Ebi Bright, was re-declared for NPP's Charles Forson.
Also, the Techiman South seat was re-declared for NPP's Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah after it had been initially declared for Christopher Beyere Baasongti, and the Okaikwei Central seat was re-declared for NPP's Dr. Patrick Boamah after it was initially declared for NDC's Baba Sadiq.
The Nsawam Adoagyiri, Ahafo Ano South West, and Ahafo Ano North constituencies, which were initially incomplete, were also declared in favour of the NPP's Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Eric Nana Agyeman-Prempeh, and Elvis Osei Mensah Dapaah, respectively.
Two constituencies—Ablekuma North and Dome Kwabenya—are, however, yet to be determined.
For the Ablekuma North constituency, NDC's Ewurabena Aubynn was declared the winner of the constituency's seat without the results of 62 polling stations.
The NPP's candidate for the constituency is Nana Akua Owusu Afriyieh, a former MP and the current Deputy Chief Executive of the Coastal Development Authority.
For Dome Kwabenya, NDC's Elikplim Akurugu was declared the winner of the constituency's seat, beating NPP's Mike Oquaye Jnr.
All other factors being equal, the NDC would now have 181 seats in the 9th Parliament, with independent candidates holding four seats.
I'm surprised NDC won 187 seats and is still chasing a few more - Freddie Blay.#PMExpress pic.twitter.com/qmQs8NEEAW
— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) December 24, 2024
AM/GA
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