Ada: The Ada East District Assembly’s attempt to elect a new Presiding Member ended in confusion and heated exchanges, after two inconclusive rounds of voting on Wednesday.
According to Ghana News Agency, the proceedings, held at the District Assembly Hall in Atortorkope, were marred by allegations of misconduct, a breach of voting protocols, and verbal confrontations. The second session of the ninth assembly of the District Assembly was summoned by Mr. Jerryson Ayih, the District Coordinating Director, to elect and swear in a Presiding Member. This marks the fifth attempt since December 2024 to elect a presiding member.
The first round of voting saw Mr. Mark Nii Adjei Sowah of the Foah Wem Electoral Area receiving 12 votes, while Mr. Ebenezer Tetteh Kpodo of the Kasseh Electoral Area secured 24 votes, with three ballots rejected out of a total of 39. As neither candidate achieved the required two-thirds majority, a second round was conducted.
Before the second round, Nene Emmanuel Tetteh Kakepeemi I, the National Democratic Congress’ Ada Constituency Chairman, and Madam Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe, Member of Parliament for Ada, held a closed-door meeting with some assembly members. However, the second round also ended inconclusively with Mr. Sowah increasing his tally to 14 votes and Mr. Kpodo maintaining 24 votes, alongside one rejected ballot.
Tensions rose when Mr. Felix Ocansey, a government appointee, was caught by the Ada West District Electoral Officer taking a photo of his thumb-printed ballot, violating electoral rules. This led to his handover to the police for further investigation and caused agitation among the assembly members and observers.
During the subsequent commotion, Nene Emmanuel Tetteh Kake Peemi I verbally attacked a reporter, preventing him from filming the incident, and issued threats. Additionally, a journalist from the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation who attempted to intervene faced verbal abuse.
