By Daniel Bampoe
Tensions are rising in the political landscape as the Electoral Commission (EC) faces mounting backlash from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) over its decision to rerun elections in 19 polling stations in the hotly contested Ablekuma North parliamentary seat.
The seat remains unresolved months after the 2024 general elections, with accusations of political manipulation now threatening to further erode public trust in the country’s electoral process.
The NPP, which maintains that its candidate, Nana Akua Afriyieh, had secured a clear path to victory pending the collation of results from just three remaining polling stations, has slammed the EC’s decision as unlawful and politically motivated.
According to the party, the Commission initially indicated it needed only security clearance to complete the collation of the remaining results—a position the EC has now reversed, opting instead for a rerun.
Kodua, Afenyo-Markin Lead NPP Offensive
At the forefront of the NPP’s resistance is General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua, who has described the EC’s U-turn as “capricious, whimsical, and politically suspicious.”
Speaking on Asaase Radio, Kodua accused the EC of succumbing to pressure from the ruling NDC and setting a dangerous precedent that could encourage chaos and disorder during future elections.
“This action tells political actors that if you are losing, just unleash thugs to disrupt the process and then call for a rerun. That’s not how we build a democracy,” he warned, adding that the EC was risking its credibility by backtracking on an already near-complete collation process.
In Parliament, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin questioned the inconsistency in how the EC has handled similar electoral cases. He cited the example of Dome Kwabenya, where the EC relied on tally cards to complete the collation process without ordering a rerun, resulting in the election of Faustina Elikplim Akurugu.
“So what has changed in Ablekuma North?” Afenyo-Markin asked. “If tally cards were sufficient in Dome Kwabenya, why not here?”
Legal Challenge and Accusations of Bias
The NPP has since filed a court injunction to prevent the EC from proceeding with the rerun, arguing that collation can still be completed using verified pink sheets already in the possession of party agents and electoral officials.
The party has also called on the EC to publicly explain its reversal and questioned why the NDC has not submitted their own pink sheets if they believe they won the seat.
Justin Kodua pointedly asked, “If the NDC had won, where are their pink sheets? What is the EC afraid of?”
Both Justin Kodua and Afenyo-Markin have hinted that political pressure from senior government figures may be influencing the EC’s decisions.
Though names were not mentioned, the implication was clear: the EC, in the eyes of the NPP, is at risk of becoming an instrument of partisan interest.
EC’s Silence Fuels Mistrust
The Electoral Commission has yet to provide a detailed explanation for its change in posture.
This silence has further deepened suspicions among opposition leaders, civil society observers, and the general public.
The controversy over Ablekuma North is quickly becoming a test case for how state institutions handle political pressure in a polarized post-election environment.
“The EC Chair must stand firm, even if the NDC wants her removed,” Kodua said. “Posterity will remember her for standing by the truth.”
Growing Concerns Over Democratic Stability
The stakes are high. With parliamentary balance tight and tensions from the 2024 elections still lingering, decisions around disputed constituencies like Ablekuma North have far-reaching implications.
The NPP has warned that any erosion of electoral fairness could lead to a breakdown in democratic trust, especially if Ghanaians perceive that state institutions are not acting impartially.
“Maybe today, this action to rerun is helping others more than the NPP, but tomorrow it may be their turn,” Afenyo-Markin cautioned, warning of a slippery slope where selective enforcement of electoral rules becomes normalized.
