The Nsawam-Adoagyiri constituency in Ghana’s Eastern Region witnessed a closely contested parliamentary election, culminating in the incumbent, Frank Annoh-Dompreh of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), narrowly retaining his seat by a slender margin of 207 votes. The electoral process, however, was far from smooth, plagued by disruptions and disputes during the initial collation stage. This chaotic situation necessitated a suspension of the count and a subsequent relocation of the process to Accra, the nation’s capital, in an attempt to ensure a more transparent and orderly conclusion.
The relocation to Accra did not immediately resolve the impasse. The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Fummey Philibert, challenged the results and filed an injunction seeking to prevent the Electoral Commission (EC) from declaring the outcome. This legal maneuver further delayed the finalization of the results, adding another layer of complexity to an already fraught electoral process. The injunction application cited concerns about irregularities and discrepancies in the collation process, highlighting the deep divisions and mistrust that characterized the election in this constituency.
The Accra High Court, after reviewing the arguments presented by both sides, dismissed the injunction filed by the NDC candidate on Thursday, December 19. The court’s decision cleared the path for the EC to proceed with the finalization of the Nsawam-Adoagyiri results, along with those of five other constituencies facing similar legal challenges: Tema Central, Ablekuma North, Ahafo Ano North, Techiman South, and Okaikwei Central. This judicial intervention was crucial in upholding the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring that the will of the people, as expressed through the ballot box, was respected and implemented in accordance with established electoral laws.
Following the court’s ruling, the EC resumed the collation process for Nsawam-Adoagyiri. The final tally revealed a tight race between the NPP and NDC candidates. Frank Annoh-Dompreh secured 29,640 votes, edging out his closest rival, Fummey Philibert, who garnered 29,433 votes. This narrow victory underscored the highly competitive nature of the election in the constituency. Three other candidates, Patrick Tetteh, Golo Kojo, and Mustapha Rasheed, also contested the seat but received significantly fewer votes, securing 92, 61, and 80 votes, respectively. Their participation, while not significantly impacting the outcome, reflected the democratic principles of choice and representation.
The total number of valid votes cast in the Nsawam-Adoagyiri constituency stood at 59,306, with 473 ballots rejected for various reasons, including improper marking or lack of proper identification. This rejection rate, while relatively small compared to the total votes cast, represents a segment of the electorate whose voices were not fully captured due to technicalities in the voting process. The Returning Officer, Jonas Baah, officially certified the results, and agents representing Annoh-Dompreh signed the declaration forms, acknowledging the outcome and affirming the validity of the process.
The Nsawam-Adoagyiri parliamentary election exemplifies the challenges and complexities that can arise during electoral processes. The initial chaos during collation, the subsequent relocation to Accra, the legal challenge mounted by the NDC candidate, and the eventual court ruling all contributed to a protracted and tense period. The narrow margin of victory also highlighted the deep political divisions within the constituency, with voters almost evenly split between the two main contenders. While the election ultimately concluded with the declaration of a winner, the events surrounding the process underscore the importance of transparent and efficient electoral administration, as well as the need for robust legal mechanisms to address disputes and ensure the integrity of the democratic process.
