The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of deploying thugs to disrupt the collation of parliamentary election results in multiple constituencies where the NPP claims victory.
At a press conference held at the party’s national secretariat, Peter Mac Manu, Chairman of the Electoral and Legal Affairs Committee, alleged that these disruptions were part of a deliberate strategy by the NDC to overturn results in constituencies they had lost.
Mac Manu described incidents where NDC supporters reportedly stormed collation centres, destroyed electoral materials, and threatened Electoral Commission (EC) officials. “Their modus operandi includes destroying pink sheets, ballot boxes, and other election materials, assaulting electoral officers, and forcing Returning Officers to declare their candidates as winners under duress,” he stated.
The constituencies affected by these alleged disruptions include Ablekuma North, Tema Central, Okaikwei Central, Dome Kwabenya, Ahafo Ano North, Obuasi East, Ahafo Ano South West, Akwatia, Suhum, Fanteakwa North, Nsawam-Adoagyiri, and Techiman South.
NPP Details Alleged Infractions
In Ablekuma North, the NPP claims its candidate, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyieh, won with a margin of 414 votes. However, Mac Manu stated that NDC thugs disrupted the collation, destroyed materials, and threatened the Returning Officer, who later declared the NDC candidate as the winner under duress. “The declaration did not mention any figures or percentages, violating CI 127,” Mac Manu noted.
Similarly, in Tema Central, the NPP accused NDC supporters of halting the collation process, forcing the declaration of their candidate without including results from two polling stations. The NPP’s data from these stations reportedly shows that their candidate, Charles Forson, won with a margin of 55 votes.
In Okaikwei Central, the party claims its candidate, Patrick Yaw Boamah, won by 1,446 votes. However, NDC supporters allegedly disrupted the collation and forced the declaration of results based on incomplete data from 110 of 141 polling stations.
At Dome Kwabenya, Mac Manu said NDC thugs attacked the collation centre, destroyed ballot boxes, and forced the Returning Officer to declare results in their absence. The NPP maintains that its candidate, Ambassador Mike Oquaye Jnr., won the constituency.
Broader Incidents of Violence
The NPP also reported violent incidents in Ahafo Ano North, where thugs allegedly destroyed pink sheets and other materials, and attacked the residence of NPP candidate Eric Nana Agyemang Prempeh. In Ahafo Ano South West, the party alleged that NDC thugs killed an NPP supporter during the chaos at the collation centre.
According to the NPP, similar disruptions occurred in Suhum, Fanteakwa North, and Akwatia. However, the EC has since completed collation for these constituencies under heavy security, declaring NPP candidates as winners.
EC Stands Firm on Incomplete Collation
The Electoral Commission has clarified that results for some constituencies, including Ablekuma North, Tema Central, Okaikwei Central, and Dome Kwabenya, have not been officially declared due to incomplete collation. In a statement on December 13, EC Deputy Chair Samuel Tettey emphasized that any declarations made under duress are illegal and will not be recognized.
NPP Calls for Action
Mac Manu called on the EC to resume collation in the disputed constituencies under secure conditions, urging the National Election Security Taskforce to ensure a peaceful environment. He also appealed to NDC leadership to restrain their supporters and uphold democratic principles.
“We have verifiable evidence from pink sheets to prove our victories in these constituencies. It is imperative for the EC to give effect to the will of the people as expressed in the December elections,” Mac Manu concluded.
The NPP remains confident that the EC will rectify the issues and declare their candidates as winners in the affected constituencies.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
