Gwira Omanhene challenges House of Chiefs elections

Sekondi, Oct 22, GNA - Awulae Angama Tu Agyan II, Omanhene of the Gwira Traditional Area, has filed an ex-parte motion at the Sekondi High Court for an order of certiorari to quash the results of elections the Western Region House of Chiefs held on September 28.

The motion is of the view that the conduct of the elections and the results breached the Chieftaincy and National House of Chiefs election rules of 1972 under Legislative Instrument (LI) 746 and the Chieftaincy Act 370 of 1971.

The Western Region House of Chiefs and the Electoral Commission (EC) are the respondents in the motion.

In an affidavit to support his application, Awulae Tu Agyan II said some of the 18 Paramount Chiefs who attended a meeting on September 28 to elect a new President, vice President and other representatives of the house protested against two proxy votes but the protest was overruled.

The proxy votes were from Nana Kwesi Agyeman, Omanhene of Lower Dixcove and Nana Brentu IV, Omanhene of Aowin Traditional Area.

The EC officer who conducted the elections declared two votes as "rejected" but did not say whether those rejected votes were in respect of the election of the President of the House or the Vice President. The applicant said attempts to get a copy of the official results of the elections had not been successful and that these among other things should make the election results a nullity.

Awulae Attibrukusu II Omanhene of Lower Axim beat Awulae Annor Adjaye II Omanhene of Nzema West by 10 votes to eight to become the new President of the Western Region House of Chiefs during the elections. The court would begin hearing the case on October 25.