Assembly Member for Akwadum Electoral Area in West Akim Municipality of the Eastern Region Zakaria Tetteh was on Thursday beaten by a supporter of ruling New Patriotic Party during voting exercise to confirm a Presiding Member.
The Yes or No votes on Brigadier Gen. (Rtd) Kwame Oppong Okyere who is Gyaasehene of Asamankese comes after many failed attempts to elect a Presiding Member.
The confusion started when the Suspect identified as Otu brought with others to the venue allegedly by the MCE, attacked and assaulted the Assembly Member for Akwadum Asuofori Electoral Area Tetteh Zakaria for insisting to have voluntary agents for both Yes or No votes cast to ensure transparency, a decision the MCE rejected creating brief misunderstanding.
The suspect from nowhere slapped the Assembly Member from the back and kicked him onto the ground. The suspect picked a chair in an attempt to hit the Assemblymember on the ground but another Assembly member rushed and struggle with him which in the process the assembly member suffered a minor injury.
The incident which happened in the full glare of about five Police officers and the Municipal Chief Executive for the Area Seth Oduro created a chaotic scene that disrupted the vote counting and declaration process.
The Assembly Members subsequently boycotted the process in protest against the assault on their colleagues saying their safety was not being guaranteed.
The Electoral Commission which supervised the election reportedly failed to declare the results.
West Akyem Municipal Assembly has been without Presiding Member since its inauguration in January this year after six rounds of elections for two batches of candidates.
The MCE reportedly imposed Brigadier Gen. (Rtd) Kwame Oppong Okyere to go unopposed.
Meanwhile, an official complaint has been lodged at the Police Station by the assaulted Assembly Member who has been issued Medical form for treatment at the hospital.
The Suspect has not been arrested.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Obed Ansah
