Mercy360 Blog of Friday, 20 December 2024
Source: Mercy Mensah
Tension is running high in the Nsawam-Adoagyiri constituency of the Eastern Region following the December 7 parliamentary elections. The incumbent Member of Parliament, Frank Annoh-Dompreh of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is leading by a narrow margin of 210 votes. However, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has stalled the declaration of results, citing irregularities and violence during the election ¹.
The controversy began on election day when NDC supporters stormed the St. Martins Senior High School, where the Electoral Commission (EC) was collating results. The supporters vandalized the EC's materials, including pink sheets and laptops, and attacked Annoh-Dompreh's vehicle. The situation escalated into chaos, with the police and military being called in to restore order.
Despite the chaos, the EC was able to collate results from 100 out of 203 polling stations before the mayhem. However, the results could not be declared because the process could not be completed. The NDC has since obtained a court injunction to halt the recollation of parliamentary results for the constituency.
The situation remains tense, with the outcome of the election still uncertain. The EC's decision on the matter will be crucial in determining the winner of the parliamentary election in the Nsawam-Adoagyiri constituency. The commission has assured that it will work to ensure that the results are accurate and reflect the will of the people.
In a related development, the Chief of Nsawam, Nana Kwamena Ansah I, has intervened to ease tensions in the area. He called for calm and urged both parties to maintain peace and stability within the municipality ¹.
Residents of the constituency have also called on the EC to declare Annoh-Dompreh the winner, citing his significant contributions to the constituency. The residents have accused the NDC of sowing discord and asserted that Annoh-Dompreh secured a clear majority in the polls.
The Bread Sellers Association and other local groups have also urged the EC to announce the rightful winner, stating that the majority of votes cast in the constituency were in favour of the NPP candidate.