The declaration of results at the Dome-Kwabenya Constituency Collation Centre was delayed following a commotion that broke out over the handling of pink sheets.
The declaration, which was scheduled for around 0300 hours, was halted due to a dispute between supporters of the two main contenders: Michael Aaron Oquaye of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Faustina Elikplim Akurugu of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Supporters of the NDC clashed with Electoral Commission (EC) officials after some pink sheets, brought in brown envelopes for verification, were presented.
NDC supporters, who disagreed with the process, pushed out and assaulted one EC officer, while two others, including a female official, were rescued by the police.
The disruption led to the suspension of the declaration as the EC’s team conducting the collation vacated their posts at around 0400 hours on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Security personnel, media, and party supporters were left waiting under difficult conditions, with mosquitoes and the weather adding to the discomfort.
The situation remained tense, with further commotion causing the intervention of military personnel after police and other security forces failed to restore order.
Despite NDC Greater Accra Regional Chairman Nii Ashei Moore’s vow to resist any military presence at the centre, soldiers were deployed to manage the chaos.
NDC supporters, confident that their candidate had won, remained at the Centre in jubilant anticipation, awaiting the final declaration as the EC continued its recount of votes.
GNA
KAS
08 Dec. 2024
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