Kwame Appiah Kodua, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for the Fanteakwa North Constituency, has denounced the NDC’s parliamentary candidate victory, alleging blatant manipulation of the electoral process by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the just-ended elections.
Mr Kodua, in a press statement, accused the NDC of orchestrating violence and subverting democratic principles to declare their candidate as the winner of the parliamentary election.
He painted a grim picture of the events that transpired during the collation process, citing instances of violence allegedly perpetrated by NDC supporters.
According to Mr Kodua, Electoral Commission (EC) Presiding Officers faced physical assaults and intimidation while attempting to submit pink sheets at the collation centre. He noted that among the victims was the NPP Constituency Secretary, who reportedly required hospitalization due to the attacks.
“Furthermore, I, Kwame Appiah Kodua, the Parliamentary Candidate for the NPP, who is a major stakeholder in the just-ended elections, was even prevented severally by hooligans who were at the entrance of the Collation room until the police intervened. However, the NDC Parliamentary Candidate was comfortably seated without any hindrances”.
Kwame Appiah Kodua, NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Fanteakwa North Constituency
The NPP parliamentary candidate further claimed that with two polling stations yet to report results, it was evident that the NDC was losing the Parliamentary contest.
He alleged that the NDC then abruptly abandoned the collation process, citing an urgent summons by their National Executives to Accra. This, Kodua suggested, led to the premature discontinuation of the collation process.
Forced Declaration and Alleged Criminal Actions
Kwame Appiah Kodua also alleged that the District Returning Officer was coerced by the NDC Parliamentary Candidate and armed supporters wielding weapons such as cutlasses and guns to declare the NDC candidate the winner.
In addition, he accused these individuals of stealing funds meant for EC officials’ transportation, destroying pink sheets, and discarding ballot boxes.
“I must put this on record that their act is null and void and has no merit in our electoral processes. The figures quoted are fabricated and do not reflect the true will of the people. This declaration is vague and has no basis as far as the collation of the 132 pink sheets are concerned”.
Kwame Appiah Kodua, NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Fanteakwa North Constituency
The NPP Parliamentary Candidate emphasized that the party’s collation of results, based on the EC’s pink sheets, unequivocally points to an NPP victory in the Parliamentary race. He categorically dismissed the NDC’s declaration as a desperate attempt to overturn the true outcome of the election.
Call for Justice and Police Action
In an impassionate call to action, Kwame Appiah Kodua called on the Ghana Police Service to promptly investigate and prosecute the individuals involved in what he termed criminal and unlawful acts.
He stressed the need to safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s democracy and maintain peace in the Fanteakwa North Constituency and the country as a whole.
The controversy has been referred to the Eastern Regional Directorate of the Electoral Commission for resolution. However, Kodua indicated that a meeting scheduled for December 10, 2024, was postponed due to heightened tensions.
He reiterated the NPP’s position that they have convincingly won the Parliamentary election and urged the NDC to accept defeat in good faith to ensure peace prevails.
In a strong conclusion, Mr Kodua affirmed the NPP’s commitment to upholding the will of the people and declared that no amount of intimidation or manipulation could undermine their victory in Fanteakwa North.
He appealed to stakeholders and the general public to remain vigilant and protect the sanctity of Ghana’s electoral process.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Fanteakwa North constituency, Haruna Apaw-Wiredu was declared the parliamentary candidate-elect for the constituency by the Electoral Commission of Ghana.
The Returning Officer for the elections, Zacharia Adams, stated that the NDC candidate secured 11,138 votes, defeating Kwame Appiah Kodua, who garnered 10,847 votes. The election recorded a total of 21,985 valid votes and 581 rejected ballots.
However, the unfolding events in Fanteakwa North underscore the need for swift and impartial resolution by the Electoral Commission and law enforcement to maintain public trust in the country’s democratic institutions.
READ ALSO: Ghana Records Impressive 7.2% Economic Growth in Q3 2024
