The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, has instructed the police and National Security to investigate the events that led to the chaos during the Council of State election in the region.

A group of thugs, reportedly supporters of one of the 12 candidates in the election, stormed the Regional Coordinating Council venue and disrupted the election process on Tuesday, February 12.

The thugs destroyed ballot papers and other voting materials, abruptly halting the voting exercise.

In a statement, the Ashanti Regional Minister condemned the incident, saying, “The act undermines the country’s democratic process and cannot be condoned.”

“I have directed the Ghana Police Service and National Security to conduct a thorough investigation, identify those responsible, and ensure they are brought to justice,” he added.

Meanwhile, a group of young people in Offinso is reported to have prevented a local chief from performing traditional rites for the Awukudae.

Dr Amoakohene further stated that the police have been tasked with investigating the incident to maintain law and order in the community and ensure that those found responsible are held accountable.

“Security agencies will rely on available evidence to expedite their investigations. I urge anyone with relevant information to cooperate with the police to ensure a swift and fair resolution of these matters. I call on all residents to remain calm, respect the rule of law, and uphold peace and stability in our communities,” the statement concluded.

The Electoral Commission in the Ashanti Region says all ballots cast and machinery deployed for the Council of State election were destroyed in Tuesday's chaos.

According to EC, though counting started, the ballots counted were negligible.

Regional Director, Francis Osei Nsiah, says the Commission has no document to help them in declaring the results of yesterday's election.

“Yesterday, we brought nothing back. Everything that we took to the centre was destroyed by the thugs, nothing came back from the centre”, he said.

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