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The surveys met expectations, and the Asawase NDC primaries ended up becoming the center of attention.
The event was marked by unease, tension, enjoyment, and a little amount of violence.
Ibrahim Abubakar of OnuaOnline keeps a record of both the positive and negative aspects of the election on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
The NDC parliamentary primaries were held in Asawase for the first time in eight years since Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, the incumbent, had won the previous two contests with no opposition.
“Everyone is watching Asawase, and I can assure Ghanaians that it will be peaceful,” he said. We will support whoever wins in order for him to keep our seat. Before the vote, Ashanti regional NDC Chairman Augustus Nana Akwasi declared that Asawase was for the NDC.
Ashanti regional Chairman of the NDC
As early as 6am, some delegates had arrived at the voting centre, anxiously waiting to cast their ballot and elect a parliamentary candidate for 2024.
No one wanted to be left out of this activity – not even those in wheelchair and the aged.
The Kumasi Central Mosque, the location of the vote, was surrounded by a huge throng, the majority of whom had only come to see the ceremony.
As anticipated, heightened security was stationed at the polling place to guarantee that the procedure is followed and completed without incident.
But not even the presence of the security personnel deterred them.
Conflict broke out between Muntaka Mubarak’s and Masawudu Mubarak’s supporters for the MP position.
One person was hurt when stones were thrown at each other, and another fell down as a result.
It was the timely intervention of the anti-robbery unit of the Ghana Police Service salvaged the situation.
Voting was expected to commence at 7am but ended up starting at 11.30am due to delays in the arrival of materials.
Soon, there was chaos. Some delegates were going contrary to the electoral laws by displaying their secret ballot to the public.
EC officials warned them to stop, but some were adamant.
At about 3pm, heavy rains halted the elections but voting resumed 30 minutes later.
The two aspirants were greeted with a rousing welcome by their supporters when they arrived at the voting grounds.
Whilst some chanting ‘we want change’, others were saying ‘still maintain’.
The incumbent was sure of being retained.
“I was a distinguished member of the legislature. I’ve made a name for myself in the NDC, Ashanti area, and Kumasi. Want to go from better to worse change? I am aware that you have devotedly supported my party. My country has had my service. My party has been served. Shortly after casting his ballot, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak told the journalists, “And I know the people will thank me.
Masawudu returned to cast his ballot at around 7.30 p.m., but the Muntaka camp put up a hard fight. By the time, voting had ended.
The supporters of the two candidates began to argue once more as a result of the confusion.
Masawudu had to be eventually removed from the polling place by the police and his bodyguards.
The results were announced after hours of sorting and counting at about 10:30 p.m.
Masawudu Mubarak received 735 votes, giving Muntaka Mubarak a total of 1,063 votes. Delegates from Asawase have spoken, and loudly.
Muntaka triumphs in the end.
Although the previous Minority Chief Whip was kept on, the journey was undoubtedly not simple.
The NDC in Asawase’s next move will be to find a way to come together before the 2024 elections, especially since the constituency chairman spearheaded the effort to topple the current Member of Parliament.
By Owusu Boateng Quansah|Locotvgh.com