NPP In Court Over Constituency Elections

An Agogo based businessman has dragged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) before a Kumasi High Court over the Asanti Akyem North Constituency elections.

The plaintiff, Edward Asadu wants the court to declare the constituency elections null and void and of no effect because, Francis Oti, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the Constituency had disqualified him from contesting the chairman position of the party.

According to him, on the voting day, he and his polling agents were prevented by the police at the polling Centre (Domeabra) from entering the Polling Centre.

Apart from the NPP Mr. Asadu has also sued the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, Regional Secretary, the DCE and Mr. Sampson Agyei, Chairman of the Asante Akyem Constituency.

Statement of Case

In a statement of case attached to the writ, Mr. Asadu stated that he contested for the chairmanship position of the party in the constituency and completed all processes required to ensure his eligibility.

He said a vetting committee put in place by regional Chairman and the regional Secretary vetted him and considered him eligible to contest.

Lawyers of the plaintiff contend that on the strength of his edibility he filed all processes and his name and picture appeared on the ballot paper when he started his campaign in the constituency.

The plaintiff however claims that on the voting day, he and his polling agents were prevented by the police at the polling Centre (Domeabra) from entering the Polling Centre.

He said he was prevented from being voted for and was severely assaulted by hoodlums who claim to have been instructed by the Member of parliament of the said Constituency.

Mr. Asadu noted that he was told that the DCE had disqualified him from contesting as chairman of the constituency adding that a pandemonium ensued and the Electoral Commission who was to supposed to supervise and conduct the elections left the polling Centre.

Lawyers of the plaintiff further argue that in spite of the disturbances, the NPP, regional Chairman and Secretary conducted the elections and declared Mr. Agyei as the chairman of the constituency and declared the other contestants winners.

He said petitions to the Regional and national executives have yielded no results

Reliefs

As a result, the Agogo businessman wants the court to issue an order restraining Mr. Agyei from holding himself as the chairman of the constituency and also from holding any Constituency Executive meeting or doing any act in his capacity until the final determination of the matter.

Mr. Asadu also seeks an order from the court compelling the NPP, the Regional Chairman and Regional Secretary to re-run the elections to elect executives of the said constituency.

By: Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson