KEY POINTS
- Protests erupt over Patrick Boamah’s victory in Okaikwei Central.
- Court-ordered re-collation declared Boamah winner with 21,099 votes.
- Residents demand transparency, alleging irregularities in the process.
Some residents of Abeka in the Okaikwei Central Constituency in the Central Region went on rampage to protest against the victory of the parliamentary candidate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Patrick Yaw Boamah in the 2024 polls.
Mob violence erupted in Black Star Square, the incumbent party’s supporters burned car tires, and called for justice for Baba Sadiq Abdulai, the NDC candidate.
Videos circulating on social media showed residents alleging that Sadiq, initially reported as the winner, was unfairly denied victory during a recent re-collation exercise ordered by the court.
Re-collation process sparks protests
The protests followed the Electoral Commission’s (EC) court-mandated re-collation of parliamentary results for four constituencies, including Okaikwei Central.
According to Graphic Online, the re-collation, policed and militarily secured, declared Boamah as having had 21,099 votes against Sadiq’s 19,368 votes.
The exercise was part of a larger directive by the Accra High Court to resolve disputes in nine constituencies, requiring the EC to finalize and declare results by January 6, 2025.
Residents demand transparency and justice
Protesters alleged irregularities in the re-collation process, accusing the EC of bias. “We believe Baba Sadiq won. This re-collation robbed us of our choice. We demand transparency and justice,” said a demonstrator.
Nevertheless, Boamah remains the winner of the polls as declared by the electoral commission to continue representing the People’s Parliamentary seat.
There are also good lessons especially with the re collation aspect in solving any disputes in the election and make followers hold the leaders accountable.
The EC has come under pressure as it seeks to defend both transparency and security in collation centres. The court has directed the Inspector-General of Police to ensure order during these proceedings.
