The Koforidua High Court has issued an interim injunction, effectively halting the swearing-in of Ernest Kumi as the Member of Parliament-elect for the Akwatia constituency in the Easter Region. This decision follows a disputed election outcome, with Kumi's main contender, Henry Boakye-Yiadom of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), alleging irregularities in the collation of results.
The Electoral Commission (EC) had declared Kumi the winner three weeks prior, with 19,269 votes to Boakye-Yiadom's 17,206. However, the NDC's parliamentary candidate filed a lawsuit against the EC, Kumi, and the Clerk to Parliament, seeking an injunction to prevent Kumi's swearing-in.
The court's ruling prohibits Kumi from being recognized as the MP-elect and instructs him to refrain from presenting himself as the MP for Akwatia. The order states that Kumi, his representatives, and agents are restrained from proceeding with any actions that would recognize him as the elected Member of Parliament for the Akwatia constituency.
This development has thrown the Akwatia constituency into a state of uncertainty, leaving the fate of its parliamentary representation hanging in the balance. As the legal battle unfolds, one thing is clear: the people of Akwatia will have to wait a little longer to know who their true representative is.
Brief Summary Of Elections In Akwatia Constituency
- Early Elections (1992-2000):
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) dominated the early elections, with Gilbert Kwasi Agyei winning in 1992 and Alhaji Mohammed Erzuah Siam taking the seat in 1996. However, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) gained control in 2000 with Kinston Akomeng Kissi as the winner.
- Disputed 2008 Election:
Violence marred the 2008 election, leading to disputed results. The Electoral Commission (EC) ordered a re-run in six polling stations, but the NDC candidate, Baba Jamal, and two independent candidates pushed for a full re-run. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of a partial re-run.
- Recent Dispute (2024):
The 2024 parliamentary elections saw Ernest Kumi of the NPP declared the winner, but the results are being disputed by the NDC candidate, Henry Boakye-Yiadom, who alleges irregularities in the collation of results.
These events highlight the complex and often contentious nature of Akwatia constituency's election history.
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