Ewurabena Aubynn, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate, has clinched the Ablekuma North seat after a contentious and prolonged collation process. The announcement was made on Tuesday evening by the Electoral Commission’s (EC) Returning Officer at the Greater Accra Regional Collation Centre.
The path to victory, however, was far from smooth. The declaration followed days of heightened tensions, with clashes erupting between NDC supporters and security forces outside the collation center.
Disputes and Allegations
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyieh, has contested the results, claiming the EC official was coerced by NDC supporters under threats of violence. Speaking to reporters, she alleged, “The man was put under duress, threatened to be killed so he should just say something.”
The NPP insists their internal collation of results indicates a win for their candidate, casting doubts on the EC’s declaration.
Chaotic Collation Process
The collation process for Ablekuma North was fraught with interruptions and disputes. Proceedings were suspended twice, first on Monday and again on Tuesday, as tensions flared both inside and outside the collation center.
At the heart of the chaos were accusations from both the NDC and NPP. Each side claimed attempts to undermine the electoral process, leading to heated exchanges between party officials. These confrontations turned physical at times, with shattered glass and heightened emotions disrupting the collation.
In response to the unrest, military personnel were deployed to support the police and restore order, while a crowd of NDC supporters gathered outside the collation center, demanding an immediate announcement of the results.
EC’s Intervention
Jean Mensa, the EC Chairperson, stepped in to direct the resumption of collation after it had been suspended amid disputes over results from 219 of the 281 polling stations. Following her intervention, EC officials resumed tallying the votes, ultimately declaring Ewurabena Aubynn the winner despite continued opposition from the NPP.
A Pivotal Outcome
The victory marks a significant achievement for Aubynn and the NDC in a constituency long considered an NPP stronghold. While the results have sparked controversy, they underscore the fierce competition that defined the 2024 parliamentary elections.
As Ghana’s electoral landscape continues to evolve, the Ablekuma North incident highlights the need for strengthened measures to ensure peaceful and transparent elections.
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