News:
December 12, 2024
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of deploying their supporters to pressure Electoral Commission (EC) officials into declaring some parliamentary results in their favour during the 2024 elections.
The General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Frimpong-Kodua, cited instances of alleged illegal declarations in constituencies including Ablekuma North, Dome-Kwabenya,
Okaikwei Central, Tema Central, Ahafo Ano North, Obuasi East, Ahafo Ano South West, Akwatia, Suhum, Fanteakwa North, Nsawam Adoagyir, Techiman South, and Aowin.
This claim was made during a press briefing on Wednesday, December 11, by the NPP’s General Secretary.
According to Mr Frimpong-Kodua, “the NDC deployed their men to, in some cases, force the hands of the Electoral Commission’s returning officers to declare results in their favour.”
This accusation follows the NPP’s significant loss of major parliamentary seats during the elections. The party secured 75 seats, while the NDC garnered a commanding 184 seats, reshaping the parliamentary landscape, with some seats still outstanding due to disagreements.
The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, further alleged that NPP parliamentary candidates and members faced intimidation and harassment.
He shared specific instances, including the situation in Abuakwa North, where the parliamentary candidate, Madam Ekua Afriye, reportedly endured a sleepless night as individuals stormed her residence searching for election pink sheets.
“Why is the NDC so interested in destroying evidence? Why are they capturing pink sheets to destroy them and set them ablaze?” Mr Afenyo-Markin questioned, adding that Madam Afriye had to flee her home for safety, with police intervention required to protect her.
In another instance, Mr Patrick Boamah, the Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, reportedly faced threats at his residence over allegations that he possessed pink sheets.
Again, he noted irregularities in Tema Central, where the individual who purportedly declared the results for the NDC was not the designated returning officer.
“They [NPP] called somebody to declare the result when the rightful person, who had sworn an oath to be the returning officer, was bypassed,” he alleged.
The NPP leadership called on NDC’s presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, to intervene and ensure that his supporters act within the boundaries of democracy.
“This is not the democracy we have worked hard for,” Mr Afenyo-Markin stressed. The Majority Leader also called on the Electoral Commission to take immediate steps and reverse what he calls the “illegal declaration.”
Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com