Chaos Erupts at Ashanti Region Council of State Election Amid Disruptions
The Ashanti Region’s Council of State election ended in turmoil after a group of thugs, allegedly linked to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), disrupted the process during the sorting of ballots.
Supporters of the Chief of Agric Nzema, Nana Nkansah Boadu, were confident that their candidate had won the election. According to his campaign team, the Electoral Commission (EC) had already counted a significant number of votes in his favor before the chaos unfolded.
Spokesperson Lord Inusah Lansah claimed that their candidate was leading when the process was suddenly halted.
“If all delegates had cast their votes, 86 in total, and Nana Nkansah Boadu was counted first, we were on the 47th vote when the chaotic scenes came in. It means that they had seen that Nana Nkansah Boadu had won the election automatically,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, some assembly members have threatened to reject the endorsement of the President’s nominees for various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in protest of how the election was handled.
Mr. Lansah warned that the unrest could have broader implications, stating,
“They have started vetting people vying for MMDCE positions, they will come to meet us at the local level. If this simple exercise could not be done, how do you expect us to sit and confirm your nominees?”
Eyewitnesses reported that the heavily-built men overpowered police officers stationed at the venue and stormed the Electoral Commission’s table, where the ballots were being sorted. The ballot papers were torn apart, causing an abrupt end to the election.
It is alleged that NDC supporters were displeased with the sorting process, believing that it was favoring Nana Nkansah Boadu, a member of the NPP’s Council of Elders.
The police team, led by Ashanti Regional Commander DCOP Frank Abrokwah, had put measures in place to screen individuals entering the election grounds, ensuring only accredited persons had access. However, the thugs managed to breach security and enter the venue.
Candidate Frederick Agyei expressed his concern over the security lapse, stating,
“They made it clear to us that each aspirant should come with four agents and they were the only people to be allowed to enter. My driver wasn’t allowed to enter and we accepted. I was surprised to see the thugs come in without accreditation.”
Despite security protocols, the thugs found their way into the inner perimeter of the election venue. Among them was former Municipal Chief Executive of Obuasi, Ofori Agyemang, who was seen interacting with NDC regional Chairman Nana Akwasi and candidate Yaw Obimpeh, a former NDC chairman.
Reports suggest that the disruption occurred when it became evident that Yaw Obimpeh was losing the election, prompting the thugs to intervene. After causing chaos, they forcibly took polling materials from the Electoral Commission and destroyed them.
The election had already been marred by partisan politics, with two leading candidates—Yaw Obimpeh of the NDC and Nana Nkansah Boadu of the NPP—dominating the contest. However, the events that unfolded have raised serious concerns about electoral security and transparency in the region.
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