The Kumasi Bloc of Parliament has strongly condemned the violent disruption of the Ashanti Regional Council of State election at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, describing it as a direct attack on democracy.
In a press statement signed by Chairman Francis Asenso-Boakye and Secretary Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, the parliamentary group decried the actions of unidentified thugs who stormed the election venue and snatched the ballot box in an apparent attempt to halt the counting process.
According to reports, at the time of the disruption, one contestant had secured 49 out of 84 votes, with counting still underway. Realizing the likely outcome, the assailants violently intervened, plunging the election into chaos and preventing the process from concluding.
The Kumasi Bloc of Parliament labeled the attack as an assault on the integrity of Ghana’s democratic process, warning that such lawless behavior threatens the peace and stability of the Ashanti Region.
The parliamentary group is calling for swift action from law enforcement to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible for the disruption. They have also urged the Electoral Commission to immediately resume and complete the electoral process to ensure that the will of the people is upheld.
Additionally, the statement called on the government and relevant authorities to take firm measures to prevent similar incidents from recurring in future elections.
The Kumasi Bloc of Parliament appealed to all Ghanaians to reject any attempts to undermine democracy, emphasizing the need for free, fair, and peaceful elections.
“Our electoral processes must be free, fair, and peaceful, and we will not tolerate any efforts to undermine the rule of law,” the statement concluded.
Authorities are yet to announce a new date for the election as investigations into the incident continue.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
