Alexander Afenyo-Markin (M) flanked by Justin Kodua Frimpong (L) and Chairman of the NPP Stephen Ayesu Ntim
The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu and Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to take steps to reverse what he describes as “illegal declarations” of parliamentary results that were not made out of properly collated results for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking at a joint press conference by the National Executives and some MPs at the party’s headquarters yesterday in Accra, Afenyo-Markin said the NDC has used various forms of threats, violence and also coerced EC officials to declare victory for their candidates in several constituencies.
Afenyo-Markin said such actions are not just sheer lawlessness but also undermines the integrity of the electoral process.
He, therefore, called on the Chairperson of the EC, Madam Jean Mensa, to intervene and respond positively to all the petitions brought to them on the matter.
“We call on the Electoral Commission to take immediate steps to reverse all these illegal declarations; declarations that were not made out of properly collated results. Why would the NDC, in an attempt to get two third or more of parliamentary seats go all over to destroy the country, destroy public properties, and even put fear and panic in the minds and hearts of our people who were candidates for the election?” he quizzed.
The constituencies that are under contention include Dome-Kwabenya, Ablekuma North, Okaikwei Central, Tema Central, Ahafo Ano North, Obuasi East, Ahafo Ano South, Akwatia, Suhum, Fanteakwa North, Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Techiman South, and Aowin.
He further alleged that those individuals perpetrating these acts of lawlessness are been supported by some NDC MPs and some executives of the party.
That, he stated, is hypocritical given the appeals made by John Mahama to halt the ongoing destruction of properties by some supporters of the NDC.
He said just 16 hours after the close of polls on Saturday, the flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia conceded defeat, an occurrence that has never been recorded in the 32 years of the country’s democracy.
General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong, also appealed to national and international stakeholders including the National Peace Council, the National House of Chiefs, the Christian Council of Ghana, the Catholic Bishops Conference, the National Chief Imam, and civil society organisations among others to intervene and speak against the lawless behaviour of the NDC.
“We are also calling on the diplomatic community, particularly the Likeminded Missions’ Elections Group, and professional bodies such as the Ghana Bar Association, to take a stand against these undemocratic attempts to reverse Ghana’s hard-earned democratic gains,” he added.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah