The Ablekuma North constituency, a political battleground in Ghana, has remained without parliamentary representation for seven months following a disputed election outcome. At the heart of the controversy is a decision by the Electoral Commission (EC) to conduct a re-run of elections in 19 polling stations, a move met with sharp criticism, particularly from the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Elvis Darko, the News Editor of The Newscenta newspaper, has publicly urged the NPP to boycott the re-run scheduled for Friday, July 11, characterizing the EC’s action as a futile exercise aimed at self-absolution rather than a genuine resolution of the electoral impasse. This call for a boycott reflects the growing tension and distrust surrounding the electoral process in the constituency.
Darko’s condemnation of the re-run stems from his belief that the EC is attempting to circumvent a court order. He argues that the court had instructed the EC to collate the existing results from all polling stations, including the disputed 19, and declare a winner based on the complete tally. By opting for a re-run instead, Darko contends that the EC is disregarding the court’s directive and attempting to “clean its mess” created by the initial mishandling of the election process. He views the re-run as a wasteful expenditure of resources – both financial and temporal – and a deliberate attempt to obfuscate the true outcome of the original election.
The EC’s decision to hold a re-run has ignited a political firestorm, with the NPP challenging the move in court. Their application for an injunction to prevent the re-run was dismissed by the Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Ali Baba Abature, who deemed the application “unmeritorious.” This ruling, however, has done little to quell the discontent within the NPP and has further fueled calls for a boycott. Darko’s public pronouncements echo the sentiment within the party, suggesting a growing conviction that the EC’s actions are biased and undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
The crux of the dispute lies in the interpretation of the court order and the subsequent actions taken by the EC. While the EC maintains that the re-run is necessary to ensure a fair and conclusive outcome, critics argue that the commission is deliberately misinterpreting the court’s instruction to collate all existing results and declare a winner. This discrepancy in interpretation has deepened the political divide and raised serious concerns about the EC’s impartiality and commitment to upholding the rule of law. The NPP’s decision to challenge the re-run in court, albeit unsuccessfully, underscores the party’s distrust in the EC’s handling of the Ablekuma North election.
The call for an NPP boycott of the re-run presents a complex dilemma. While it could be seen as a powerful statement against the perceived injustice and a means of holding the EC accountable, it also carries the risk of further disenfranchising voters and prolonging the political uncertainty in the constituency. If the NPP chooses to boycott, the re-run would likely proceed with only the participation of other parties, potentially leading to a less representative outcome and further questions about the legitimacy of the elected MP. This scenario could exacerbate the existing tensions and potentially lead to future legal challenges.
The situation in Ablekuma North highlights the critical importance of a transparent and impartial electoral process. The ongoing dispute, fueled by accusations of misconduct and disregard for court orders, erodes public trust in the EC and casts a shadow over the democratic process. The call for a boycott, while controversial, underscores the urgent need for a thorough and independent investigation into the handling of the Ablekuma North election to ensure accountability and restore confidence in the electoral system. The future of the constituency hangs in the balance, and the resolution of this impasse will have significant implications for the broader political landscape in Ghana.
