Ballot Box Destruction and Attacks on Journalists Mar Ashanti Council of State Election
Unrest sparked by a candidate’s defeat leads to ballot destruction, journalist assaults, and a temporary suspension of election proceedings
- Unidentified thugs stormed the election venue, destroying ballot boxes and scattering materials
- Journalists were attacked and forced to delete coverage of the incident
- Violence allegedly triggered by the defeat of NDC candidate Yaw Owusu Obimpeh
The Council of State elections in the Ashanti Region descended into chaos when a group of unidentified thugs stormed the election center, disrupting the sorting and counting of ballots.
Lawson News reporter, Papa Dat revealed that the assailants forcefully entered the venue, overturning tables, destroying ballot boxes, and scattering voting materials.
He said this compelled Electoral Commission (EC) officials to suspend the process.
Papa Dat affirmed that Journalists on-site were reportedly attacked, with some forced to delete videos and images they had captured during the turmoil.
The unrest is believed to have stemmed from the unexpected defeat of National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate Yaw Owusu Obimpeh, who had been a favored contender. Aggrieved supporters allegedly instigated the violence, demanding a review of the results.
Security personnel at the scene struggled to manage the escalating tensions, prompting a temporary suspension of the election proceedings.
Additional law enforcement officers have since been deployed to restore order and protect the electoral materials.
The Electoral Commission has yet to issue an official statement addressing the disruption or detailing the next steps concerning the election results.
