A tense atmosphere surrounds the Koforidua Senior High Technical School (SECTECH), where the Electoral Commission is conducting the re-collation of parliamentary results for the Suhum constituency. The exercise is being held under heavy security, with a joint team of military and police personnel ensuring order.
Security Measures and Tensions
Over 40 police officers have mounted barricades at the school’s entrance to manage the crowd and prevent potential disruptions. Supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the incumbent MP—who contested as an Independent Candidate—have engaged in heated exchanges outside the venue.
Access to the dining hall, where the re-collation is taking place, has been restricted, with media personnel barred from observing the process directly.
Background of the Contention
The Suhum constituency is one of four constituencies in the Eastern Region facing disputes over parliamentary results. The original collation, conducted at Suhum Senior High Technical School, was disrupted by violence, which reportedly led to the defacing of critical election documents, including pink sheets.
The re-collation is seen as a critical step in resolving the disputes and ensuring transparency and fairness in the election process.
Broader Electoral Implications
The Suhum constituency has historically been a stronghold of the NPP, and the results of this re-collation could influence the party’s overall performance in the region. With emotions running high, the heavy security presence underscores the importance of maintaining calm and ensuring a credible conclusion to the electoral process.
As developments unfold, stakeholders will be keenly observing the outcome of the re-collation and its implications for the already intense 2024 parliamentary elections.
